DIPPING his head into the vase of water, this little squirrel takes a refreshing break from an afternoon of eating. With his paws resting over the edge of the basin, he carefully recharges himself as he takes in his surroundings. The thirsty red squirrel was photographed by Dutch photographer and carpenter Geert Weggen in his garden in Bispgarden, Sweden.
SLEEPING within touching distance of wild African animals might not be everyone's idea of a relaxing break .
PERCHING on top of a gate, this young barn swallow waits patiently for his mum to return with dinner .
It's incredible to think anyone could live in such horrendous squalor - yet two men have been prosecuted for keeping their homes in such revolting conditions that it was no longer fit for their animals .
The San Antonio Zoo in Texas has welcomed a bizarre new addition - a two-headed turtle named Thelma and Louise .
With the vivid red smoke billowing into the sky amid the misty sand dunes, these are the blissful views provided at the break of dawn at a volcano .
FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters .
TUGGING at his exhausted mum's ears, a beautiful baby orangutan refuses to settle for a nap as he begins a game of peek-a-boo .
Standing on the edge of a never-ending black hole, this is one leap you wouldn't want to make .
Balanced on one leg, a frog assumes the crane kick martial arts stance made famous in the movie The Karate Kid .
This cheeky chappie is getting into all kinds of monkey business as he enjoys cooling off on a scorching hot day .
From vivid greens to glowing pinks, the colours of the aurora borealis fill the night sky above a snow covered Lapland .