Animal Photos Of The Week

With Hurricane Sandy moving north toward the U.S. Northeast, several organizations are offering preparation tips for pet owners. Click here to learn more about how you can keep your pet safe and secure during weather emergencies.

Southern California saw unusual precipitation of another kind this week when workers at a golf course in southern Orange County discovered a live shark had fallen from the sky onto a tee box. The animal, most likely a leopard shark, was later returned to the ocean. Puncture wounds suggested that it had been grabbed from the water by a predatory bird.

Tampa Bay, Florida's "Mystery Monkey" was captured this week after roaming the St. Petersburg area for several years. The primate, a rhesus macaque, had gained notoriety from neighborhood sightings and even has a Facebook page.

The Cayman Islands' blue iguanas are no longer listed as critically endangered, as the wild population has risen to about 750. The International Union for Conservation of Nature has downlisted the brightly-colored reptile to endangered, reported the Associated Press.

In case you missed it, check out these photos of a wild python in Australia devouring a large monitor lizard whole. (Warning: some users may find the photos disturbing.)

Below, find some of the week's best animal photos from around the world: