DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast. Bobbing its head as it moves through the frosty grass, the adorable creature darts and leaps across the field as it searches for the perfect meal. The delightful animal was photographed by Swiss student Etienne Francey as he watched the stoat play in fields in his hometown of Cousset in Switzerland. The 17-year-old says: ‘Cycling along a country road near my house one snowy day, I was startled to see a stoat run across the road in front of me.
PERCHED on a branch, this Little Owl plays third wheel to two love birds .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish .
A TEN-THOUSAND square foot wide Avatar-style grove is such a beauty it will leave you feeling VINE .
TOWERING 65 metres into the sky, this terrifying accent is a dream for climbers .
Pouncing down on top of his twin brother, these two snow leopard cubs practice their kung-fu moves .
THIS may look like a dolphin through jumping hoops, but it is in fact nothing more than a clever 3D pencil drawing .
A panic stricken kitten that got her head stuck in a car tyre has been freed by quick thinking RSPCA staff .
Staring death in the face, a little field mouse bravely confronts a hungry cat .
STARING open-mouthed into the camera, this shocked fish looks out of place in the middle of its angry friends .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
POPE MOBBED BY THOUSANDS OF WORSHIPPERS IN RIO - Thousands of worshippers gather to celebrate the Papal visit on Copacabana beach, Rio de Janeiro ,Brazil .