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 group of whale sharks gather to feed underneath a fisherman’s boat off the coast of Papua, Indonesia .
Giancarlo pictured at home during his recovery, wearing his compression garments - A mother-of-three has revealed how her 10-month-old son was severely burnt at nursery .
WEARING tiny Christmas accessories, these adorable babies get into the spirit of the season .
DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating .
A carefree bear cub reclines in the water with his feet raised in the air .
SQUEEZING their furry faces through a hole in a tree, a trio of curious baby squirrels leave their nest for the first time to explore their surroundings .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
THIS may look like a dolphin through jumping hoops, but it is in fact nothing more than a clever 3D pencil drawing .
A good samaritan who came to the aid of a rape victim has told how they were turned away from the Salvation Army because "they only help men" .
WITH THEIR adorable big round eyes and fluffy white fur, these baby seals are cute enough to melt any heart .
A teenager has beaten anorexia after becoming so ill that her mum planned her funeral .