A teenage girl nicknamed 'spotty dog' by school bullies has embraced the hundreds of birthmarks that cover her entire face and body. 19-year-old Ciera Swaringen, of Rockwell, North Carolina, USA was born with mole-like birthmarks that spread from her head to her toes. Ciera's rare skin condition affects just one in 500,000 people and covers 70 percent of her body - with the largest mark stretching from her lower thighs to her navel. Since a child, the pretty teen has endured cruel taunts from strangers, but has now grown to love her unique appearance. She says: “Teenage boys are usually the first ones to comment when they see me. “They say things like, ‘You look like you’re dirty, take a wash.’
TUGGING on the wing of his sibling, this needy owl is after some attention .
THIS DANGER-mad female pensioner could be the oldest Brit to cage dive with CROCODILES .
GETTING behind the camera, this monkey practices his photography skills on his friends .
A little caterpillar fearlessly scampers down a branch and confronts a praying mantis .
A BLIND school-girl whose growth has been stunted by a rare medical condition is finding her feet again with the help of a specially made mini-cane .
FISTS fly as two gorillas take each other on in a dramatic battle .
HUDDLED together on a branch, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls soak up the sun .
HOTSPOT MEDIA - BEAUTY QUEEN ACID SCARE: Miss England finalist, Karla Fitzpatrick, 19, at the Miss England contest .
An Italian photographer travelled to the highlands of New Guinea where he met an Indonesian tribe untouched by the modern world .
A 20st mum-of-four who was dangerously obese has lost half her body weight after her son drew her as a BLOB at school .
An intrepid explorer hopes to be reunited with his travel partner, after his cuddly toy companion was stolen .
FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters .