
12 Funny Animal Photos Never Seen Before
Although it's believed that a sense of humor is a distinctly human emotion, these newly released funny animal photos from Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards may convince you to question that assumption.
In fact, research has found that some animal species may indeed use wit to strengthen their bonds in the same way that many have the capacity for love, fear, sorrow, guilt, anger, shame, disgust and empathy – and that primates smile and some rats can giggle.
And while science has found that various animals can be nutty and mischievous -- and that their laughter might be more common than was earlier believed -- there is also the fact that humans tend to "anthropomorphize" the behavior of animals.
Here, in this selection of previously unseen images from last year's Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, are some examples of both animals' humor and our anthropomorphizing of their behavior.
The images range from a cheetah's laugh to a deer pulling a surprised face, to birds stumbling into hilarious situations or simply living their 'ordinary' lives until a human photographer in the right place at the right moment from the right angle transforms them into a humorous scene.
FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™
Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase
Pinpoint By Linkedin
Guess The Category
Queens By Linkedin
Crown Each Region
Crossclimb By Linkedin
Unlock A Trivia Ladder
Showing a lighter side of wild animal photography, this competition with sustainability at the forefront of its aims runs in partnership with Nikon and supports the nonporfit Whitley Fund for Nature dedicated to empowering conservation leaders across the Global South.
'Comedy Wildlife's photographs transcend cultures and ages to bring a smile to everyone's face and with a mission to engage wildlife lovers everywhere to be part of a global conversation about conservation,' say the organizers.
The 2025 competition, free to enter and now open, will close on June 30. The shortlist of candidates will be revealed in October and the winners announced in November or December.
The contest categories include: Mammals, Birds, Reptiles, Amphibians, Insects, Fish and Other Aquatic Species, Nikon Young Photographer (25 Years and Under), Nikon Junior Photographer (16 Years and Under), Portfolio, Video and Photo People's Choice Award.
Great Egret Fun, Dallas, Texas
'I went to this rookery, right in the heart of the medical district in downtown Dallas, Texas, several times this spring where hundreds of these Great Egrets come to breed,' Mary Hulshouser explains.
"The babies are hilarious to watch from the time they are newly hatched until they are ready to fledge. They are constantly crying for food and sometimes thinking they can get nourishment from each other. You can't help but get some funny pictures of them with their crazy hair and expressions! "
Laughing Cheetah, Masai Mara, Kenya
With its relaxed pose, this cheetah in Masai Mara, Kenya, looks like it's having the time of its life.
Peek-A-Boo, Volcanoes Mountain, Rwanda
A baby golden monkey peers from behind a tree while chewing on a piece of bamboo, contemplating the day ahead.
Forgot your birthday AGAIN! Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
"We had been hanging out with this bear (and his buddy) for several hours while they slept and played on the beach in coastal Alaska," Charles Janson says. 'After waking from a nap, this one started to clean himself, using his paw to wipe sand from his face. In this pose he looks embarrassed.'
Four-VVinged Goose, Hamburg, Germany
A four-winged goose (or two geese?) skim over a lake in Hamburg, Germany.
One-Eyed Peeper, Leicester, UK
'I had been photographing fallow deer when this one, which had been lying to the left of the tree, got up and peeped from behind the tree for just a couple of seconds," says Helen Cherry. 'It looks as though it only has one eyeball but it's just that the eye on the left caught the light.'
Conciliation, Red Billed Starling, Dahua Xingzhi Park , China
Captured in mid-flight, this moment of playful fighting between Red Billed Starling birds seems to be arbitrated by a commen friend.
Bear-Hug , Polar Bears Svalbard, Norway
Mum and cub bear come together for a proper bear hug. 'The two had just finished attempting to embark our ship (unsuccessfully), and tried hunting a pod of beluga whales (and failed)," Michael Stavrakakis explains. 'It's nice to see them still hugging it out anyway."
Juggling pelican, Greece, Lake Kerkini
This Curly Headed pelican is trying to impress his audience with his latest juggling act: How to get the fish even further down the throat of the beak.
Declaration of love, Ground squirrel Vienna
Declaration of love: It was as if this ground squirrel were confessing his love to the flower.
The funny animal photos contest is free and open to photographers of all levels and ages.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Authorities make difficult decision after observing concerning grizzly bear behavior: 'In the interest of human safety'
Authorities make difficult decision after observing concerning grizzly bear behavior: 'In the interest of human safety' As more people settle near wildlife habitats, encounters between humans and animals are becoming harder to avoid — and sometimes, they end in difficult decisions. Last month, Idaho wildlife officials euthanized a grizzly bear after it showed an alarming shift in behavior, repeatedly seeking out human food in a residential neighborhood. According to KTVB, officials said the bear's growing comfort around people and its persistence in finding garbage posed a serious safety risk. What's happening? The bear appeared in the Pinehaven area of Island Park. It was captured on doorbell cameras rummaging through trash, pressing against buildings, and breaking into vehicles to find food. Idaho Fish and Game, working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, determined the bear had become too accustomed to human-related food and had lost its natural wariness of people. "Due to the bear's consistent seeking of unnatural food and habituation to residential areas, it was captured and euthanized in the interest of human safety," Idaho Fish and Game stated, per KTVB. Why is this incident important? When wild animals associate neighborhoods with food, the risks escalate quickly. Bears that lose their fear of people often return to populated areas, increasing the chance of dangerous encounters. Officials warn that these conflicts don't just put wildlife at risk but also create safety concerns for neighborhoods. Bears repeatedly entering residential areas increase the chances of dangerous encounters and can strain local resources, including law enforcement and wildlife management. While conservation efforts often focus on protecting ecosystems, managing attractants like garbage, pet food, and fruit trees is just as much about protecting people. Preventing these conflicts reduces the need for lethal actions and helps communities coexist more safely with nearby wildlife. What's being done about incidents like this? Wildlife officials stress that prevention starts at home. Residents are urged to store garbage inside locked sheds or garages and only set out the bins on collection day. Bear-resistant containers are also recommended. Other simple steps include removing bird feeders during bear season, keeping pet food indoors, and securing fruit trees and beehives with electric fencing. These actions help prevent future conflicts and reduce the risk of dangerous encounters. Do you worry about air pollution in your town? All the time Often Only sometimes Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Solve the daily Crossword


CNN
2 hours ago
- CNN
Rare snow leopard baby born at UK zoo
Video released by Chester Zoo in the United Kingdom shows a rare snow leopard cub taking its first steps. The baby was the first of its kind born at the facility in its 94-year history. Snow leopards are currently listed as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Inside Afrobeats: Meet the host behind the 4-part series
For JJ Okonkwo, Afrobeats is more than just a genre of music — it's a part of who he is. "Afrobeats holds a special place in my heart because it echoes the rhythm of where I come from," said Okonkwo. Afrobeats is a fairly young genre of music. It gained prominence in the early 2000s, combining West African musical styles with elements of hip-hop, R&B, dancehall and other genres. Okonkwo witnessed the early rise of Afrobeats and he was immediately hooked. "What I love most about Afrobeats is its versatility. It blends with any genre while staying proudly African. The beats bring instant joy, but it's the storytelling, the proverbs, and the punchy lyrics that make it truly unique. You can never mistake Afrobeats for anything else," he said. Okonkwo grew up in Lagos, Nigeria, where he was born into a family of singers and spent his childhood surrounded by music. With his father's record collection and his brother's cassette tapes at his fingertips, Okonkwo was exposed to a wide variety of music. In 2023, when Okonkwo moved to St. John's, he started listening to local radio stations to get a feel for the music scene in Canada. He found the stations were primarily playing mainstream western music with little representation from the Afrobeats genre. "I felt disconnected. It didn't reflect the multicultural reality of Canadian society. That, to me, was a gap." This gap is what inspired him to create Inside Afrobeats, a four-part audio series that explores the history and global impact of Afrobeats music. For Okonkwo, he hopes the series will not only introduce people to some great music, but also raise awareness of the genre. "The goal is to amplify the sound, the stories, and the culture behind the genre, and ensure that African voices and rhythms are part of the national conversation in music and media," said Okonkwo. All four episodes of Inside Afrobeats are available to listen to here. Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here.