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.
SEA LIFE and greenery in one shot show nature at its very best .
These are the faces of orphans suffering from the horrifying effects of chemical warfare .
WITH HIS PAW covering his mouth, this cheeky cub looks amused by something .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
HUDDLING under a leaf, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls take shelter from the rain .
FROM motorcycling to department store shopping these spookily faceless people are part of the Chinese-fad for wearing protective solar-visors in public .
EXPERTLY camouflaged, this clever panther chameleon knows how to catch its prey by surprise .
THIS incredible shimmer of silver fish mirrors the image of that of an underwater tornado .
SLEEPING within touching distance of wild African animals might not be everyone's idea of a relaxing break .
Throwing a right hook as he launches onto his opponent with his gnarling teeth at the ready, this is the OTTER-LY ruthless showdown between two otters .
HUDDLED together on a branch, a pair of adorable Javan scops owls soak up the sun .
When couples talk about wanting a white wedding, few will be referring to getting hitched on a glacier sat on top of an active volcano .