An Atlantic puffin carrying sand eels lands on Skomer Island, UK, as part of this week's collection of stunning wildlife photographs from around the world. The images capture moments of predation, survival, and quirky behavior.
Snake vs. Toxic Frog
In Ontario, Canada, an eastern garter snake was photographed swallowing a pickerel frog headfirst near a cottage. Pickerel frogs secrete a toxic substance through their skin, deterring most predators, but garter snakes are immune to the toxins.
Protected Goats in Turkey
Young wild goats roam the rocky slopes of Tunceli in eastern Turkey, where strong local protection and anti-poaching efforts have helped the species thrive.
Early Independence for Sandpiper
A young spotted sandpiper forages among rocks along the Umpqua River in Oregon, US. Spotted sandpiper chicks leave the nest within hours of hatching and begin feeding themselves almost immediately, while parents remain nearby to protect them.
Penguin Surfs Back to Sea
A juvenile Magellanic penguin rested on the sand at Arpoador beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, a popular tourist spot and surfers' favourite. After recovering its strength, the penguin rode the waves back into the Atlantic Ocean.
Egrets and Capuchins
A young egret lurks on a tree in a garden north of Bangkok, Thailand. In Costa Rica, a Central American white-faced capuchin was spotted in the rainforest near Puerto Jiménez. The species is known for its intelligence and has been observed using tools made of stone or sticks to access food.
Bees and Neil the Seal
Bees work on a sunflower in Frankfurt, Germany. In Tasmania, Australia, Neil the Seal, a 1,000kg elephant seal, vented his rage on a shop sign, crushing fences, blocking traffic, and bashing into parked cars, much to the delight of local residents. He has now returned to sea. Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff said: “We’ll keep an eye out for him but otherwise the traffic cones and street signs of Tasmania can breathe a small sigh of relief.”
Invertebrate of the Year Contest
A treehopper is featured as a possible nominee for the Guardian's Invertebrate of the Year contest, which celebrates the wonder and importance of the world’s invertebrates. A ladybird forages among Queen Anne's lace blooms in Oregon, US.
Storks and Desert Rain Frog
Storks admire the view from their nest on a power pole above corn fields near Frankfurt, Germany. A desert rain frog, which lives on the sandy shore between dunes and the sea in Namibia and South Africa, is under threat due to diamond mining.
Moth Larva and Crayfish
A cynthia silk moth larva gnaws on a leaf in Sangju, South Korea. A white-clawed crayfish is one of the species that will benefit from Natural England’s new £60m programme to support 130 projects safeguarding 364 threatened species, some found only in England.
Tortoise and Frog
A yellow-footed tortoise wanders inside a building damaged by earthquakes in Catia La Mar, Venezuela. A green frog smiles for the camera in a pond at Humber Arboretum in Toronto, Canada.
Record-Breaking Puffins
An Atlantic puffin with a mouthful of sand eels lands on Skomer Island, Wales, UK. Skomer hosts a record-breaking population of more than 52,000 Atlantic puffins.
