Most people have an angel at the top of their Christmas tree, but one bear at Chester Zoo decided he wanted to be the star of the show. Climbing right to the top of the tree, the zoo’s spectacled bear Bernardo can often be seen relaxing with his head in the clouds. Four-year-old Bernardo moved to the zoo after travelling from Tulsa Zoo in Oklahoma. Tim Rowlands, the zoo’s curator of mammals said: “An exchange of animals between the USA and Europe doesn’t happen very often at all, which makes Bernardo even more special to us here at the zoo.
From vivid greens to glowing pinks, the colours of the aurora borealis fill the night sky above a snow covered Lapland .
STARING eagerly into the camera, this little toad is full of curiosity .
LYING back in the snow, these two polar bears share a cuddle as they call time out on playtime .
TOWERING 65 metres into the sky, this terrifying accent is a dream for climbers .
A curious red squirrel takes a break from collecting nuts and tries her hand at photography .
FLEXING his muscles and staring straight at his opponent, this bodybuilding squirrel is the nuts .
WITH HIS PAW covering his mouth, this cheeky cub looks amused by something .
Say cheese! This cheeky chappy isn’t in the mood to live up to his scary reputation as he is pictured here cracking a killer smile as he goes about his daily business .
STOOD side by side next to a busy road, these buildings were once bustling with life .
PAWS for thought as you feast your eyes on this rare bear bathing session .
This longhorn beetle demon-strates a dark side as it looks just like the devil .