LIKE A living balloon this baitball of sardines is ready to burst when threatened by a pointy nosed sailfish. The photographs, taken off the coast of Isla Mujeres, near Cancun, Mexico, show how these water creatures work cooperatively to cut off a portion of a school of sardines swimming close to the seafloor, and drive them to the surface. American photographer Doug Perrine, 60, managed to capture the moment the sailfish manage to herd the bait into a tightly packed ball, ready to pick off for dinner one-by-one. ‘The sailfish took-turns swimming through the bait ball slashing with their bills to kill the fish, which are quickly gobbled up,’ Doug said. ‘Sometimes they light up or change to a bright colour pattern.
WITH a paw in the air and his tongue hanging from his mouth, it is clear to see that this little groundhog is struggling to wake up and leave behind the comfort of his burrow .
DASHING through the snow, this little stoat is on the lookout for a Christmas feast .
A mischievous fox cub demonstrates his playful side by biting his sibling’s tail .
FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters .
LYING flat out on his back, this little meerkat makes the most of the English sunshine .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
From a platter of finger licking chicken wings to a bowl of Chinese noodle soup, these foodie snaps are enough to make your savoury saliva glands drool .
OFFERING a glimpse into the past, a mash-up of old and new photographs show how the world’s biggest cities have changed .
WRAPPED up in classy headscarves, these adorable pooches are the picture of sophistication .
A makeup artist from the West Midlands magically transforms herself into famous cartoon characters using body paint .
BALANCING 30 metres above ground, these slackliners take the expression of living dangerously one step further, by tightrope walking NAKED .