WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow. The groundhog takes a moment to stretch before quickly becoming aware that he's not alone. The adorable scene was captured in the Tonale Pass, a high mountain pass in Trentino Alto Adige, Italy, by freelance photographer Maurizio Lancini. The 39-year-old, of Rodengo Saiano, Brescia, Italy, says:"I spotted the entrance to the burrow so decided to hide nearby and wait for the groundhog to appear.
A photographer from the United Arab Emirates travelled to Pakistan where he captured the lives of local people in a series of expressive portraits .
RESTING his weary head on his flipper, this little seal pup takes a much needed nap after an afternoon of strenuous yoga .
This is the moment a puffin delved into the ocean and bit off more than he could chew to collect a beak full of fish .
A striped marlin means business as it spots lunch and spears a small fish .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
WELCOME to the 750-foot deep rainbow cave that leaves visitors bewildered by its multi-coloured mood lighting .
A young girl has been forced to stay indoors this winter because a rare allergy to the cold could kill her .
ROLLING up snow in its tiny paws, this little squirrel is looking for a snowball fight .
The family of a disabled boy who died in a tragic accident at a care home have received a four figure payout after an inquest heard carers allowed him to fall rather than restrain him because of "health and safety" fears .
A British jewellery designer with a passion for London's iconic Gherkin has created a pen with an INK-REDIBLE price tag of £27,500 .
A five-week-old newborn from Fife has become the UK’s youngest beauty pageant baby .
An adorable orangutan named Pongo celebrates his first birthday at Zoo Atlanta, Georgia, America .