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 BAMBI was dramatically caught in mid-air by a greedy Nile crocodile in a once-in-a-million flying pincer move .
A Kermit the Frog toy made famous by travelling the world is still globehopping, having racked up an incredible 420,000 kilometres to some of the world's furthest flung places .
A student has finally hit puberty after a four year battle against anorexia stunted his growth .
A 21st stone woman suffering from 'body blindness' like Dawn French shed more than half her body weight after a shock revelation brought her to her senses .
This hungry white tiger has just one thing on her mind - to taste fresh meat .
This tranquil setting stretches for miles as the sun sets behind the mountain .
THIS UNUSUAL collaboration between a mother and her two-year-old daughter makes for some stunning works of art .
This Robin Reliant appears to have taken a wrong turn after it ended up 15 feet high up in a TREE .
STARING open-mouthed into the camera, this shocked fish looks out of place in the middle of its angry friends .
PERCHING on the edge of a flower, these loved-up caterpillars can't resist each other as they enjoy a romantic moment together .
AS graffiti goes, this giant mural of a sweet little girl tenderly watering a tree beneath her is a far cry from what you usually see emblazoned across cities .
Families in an Indian slum put their lives on the line by living on top of an ACTIVE railway track .