PRO 5 Creature comforts: The terrapins set-up camp on a very relaxed-looking hippo

TERRAPINS take a break from the water and rest on the back of an enormous hippo. The resourceful creatures appear to be using the animal as a living island, as they bathe in the heat of Kruger National Park in South Africa.

PRO 5 Hitching a ride? The terrapins could being using the hippo as a taxi

Semi-professional photographer Stephen Earle took the photos on one of his regular visits to the park. The 42-year-old lawyer said: “It is certainly not uncommon for terrapins and other animals or birds to sit, crawl, or land on the backs of hippos.

PRO 5 Happy to help: The hippo seems quite content with the situation

‘What is rare in this photo is the sheer number of terrapins on the hippo. I have never seen such a large congregation of terrapins before and certainly not on the back of a hippo. “I was quite happy to witness this rather uncommon event.”

PRO 5 Family outing? The resourceful terrapins are different shapes and sizes

The terrapins, or freshwater tortoises, were spotted by Stephen in the southern section of the park. South Africa is home to five different species of the animal, along with five species of turtle, and a further 12 species of tortoise.

PRO 5 To see so many terrapins on one hippo is a rare sight