I will not be intimidated: Angry anteater stands up and stretches his 'arms' to watch a herd of cattle cross a field in Uruguay

This is the bizarre moment an angry anteater faced off against a herd of cows as they approached its territory in a Uruguayan field.

Footage shows the small but mighty animal standing on its hind legs and confronting a cow.

The solo tamanduna, or little anteater, then spreads its forearms wide in apparent warning before its much larger advice retreats.

Another curious member of the herd approaches, causing a second tense confrontation, before the victorious anteater finally trots away after doing its job.

Experts said the cow was lucky because the anteater's forelimbs are equipped with powerful claws that are used to tear open rock-hard ant and termite mounds.

Moo-ve it! The small but mighty animal stood on its hind legs and came face to face with a cow in Uruguay

Come on! The brave anteater was in no mood to give way when the cows approached his territory

Raising their hind legs to look bigger, they spread their arms, ready to latch onto anything that comes too close with their claws.

And when potential enemies get close enough, they are sprayed with a fetid odor produced in the beast's anal glands.

Local media say the bizarre encounter was filmed in Caraguata, in the Tacuarembo department.

According to naturalist and M' Bopicua Biopark director Juan Villalba, the video was recorded by veterinarian Sergio Rivas.

Social media users were baffled by the standoff between David and Goliath.

One X user said: 'Seriously cute! At tense moments, the big boys warn the outsider who withdraws with great dignity.'

Another also commented: 'Wonderful nature, only they deserve to be on earth, they are all that is good.'

I'll take you all with me… The anteater stood on his hind legs to give the cows a piece of their mind

Let's go Daisy, me and you! The brave anteater refused to let the cows pass

Away with the cattle! The anteater circled the cows and then, for good measure, stood facing them again

According to local media, the species in the video is the southern tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla), also known as the collared anteater.

Despite being considered common throughout South America, conservationists say the species is rapidly disappearing.

It is said that hunters kill them when they find them because they can injure their dogs.

And some remote communities are said to still use a powerful bowstring for making rope in their stories.