LINED up one by one on a deer’s back, these little birds give their wings a break as they catch a ride across London. Aware of her hitchhikers, the female red deer seems unfazed as the starlings arrive. The scene was photographed by 16-year-old student Samuel Aron on a day out in Richmond Park, London. Samuel, of Watford, says: ‘I have seen this behaviour before from starlings, but I have never seen so many on one deer.
SWIMMING in unison, millions of silverside fish dwarf the divers .
A weightlifter has lost a whopping 12st after swapping biscuits for biceps .
STARING intently into the camera, a polar bear appears to be lost in thought while relaxing in the snow .
A woman has told how she saved the life of her own rapist after he overdosed on pills shortly after attacking her .
Throwing a right hook as he launches onto his opponent with his gnarling teeth at the ready, this is the OTTER-LY ruthless showdown between two otters .
BASKING in smug satisfaction, a confident squirrel gives a wink to the camera .
A group of shelter dogs showcase their loveable personalities in a series of passport-style photographs - in the hope of finding their forever homes .
A striped marlin means business as it spots lunch and spears a small fish .
FULL OF STUNNING colours and swirling shapes, the furrows on these fields create a mix of mesmerising patterns .
Playing, splashing and generally messing around, these polar bears show they certainly have a soft spot for the water, and not just each other .