The VOLE nine yards?

Pick on somebody your own size! Plucky vole does battle with a coyote... and lives to tell the tale

By Mail Foreign Service

Last updated at 1:56 PM on 10th February 2010

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A courageous vole took on a coyote a hundred times his size - with surprisingly successful results.

The tiny rodent's chances of survival looked slim when he was plucked out of the snow by the hungry predator but, instead of giving in, he stood his ground.

Apparently unafraid of the huge coyote towering above him, the plucky vole raised himself up on his back paws to confront his attacker.

Courageous: The vole squares up the curious coyote during an encounter in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Give me your best shot: The coyote appears ready to pounce on his tiny opponent

And, amazingly, he managed to hold his own during the extraordinary David and Goliath battle that followed.

Battered and squashed under the coyote's hefty paws, the vole never seems to lose heart.

At one point, he is even thrown a foot in the air but, incredibly, he survived and managed to escape.

Professional photographer Rob Palmer snapped these incredible shots in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, America.

On guard: Tension builds between the pair as the coyote arches his back

The 56-year-old said: 'The coyote was hunting for voles along the side of a snow-packed road in the park and I noticed him from the road.

'He stuck his head into a snow drift and took this little vole out of the drift in his mouth.

'The vole was dropped on the ground but it stood up to face the coyote.

'The coyote just looked amused - like a cat would be with a mouse. He picked it up and threw it in to a snow bank.

Hold on to your hats! The vole appears to be losing ground as he is tossed through the air

'The vole managed to get away unharmed because the coyote couldn't find it again in the snow.'

Mr Palmer, from Littleton, Colorado, said he had never witnessed a fight like this before.

He said: 'I've been an avid photographer since the age of 12 but I've never seen something like this.

'I love all wildlife and I get many rewards living the lifestyle I lead. I feel very blessed to be able to do this on a daily basis.'

Vole roll: The tiny rodent curls up into a ball

Battle battered: The feisty duo continue to exchange blows