2026 Comedy Wildlife Awards Finalists: The Funniest Animal Photos of the Year
What would it look like to be bowled over by an orangutan, challenged by an owl or seduced by a praying mantis? The 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists offer some hilarious answers.
The annual photo contest celebrates the funniest and most unexpected moments in nature. By capturing animals in poses that resemble human behavior, photographers around the world turn wildlife into comedians, athletes, movie characters and social-media stars.
More than 10,000 entries are competing for the top prize: a luxury safari in Kenya’s Masai Mara National Reserve. Here are some of the most entertaining photographs from the 2026 finalists, including a startling owl, a “spicy” orangutan and a group of remarkably confident brown bears.
“Are You Kidding Me?” — A Squirrel Takes on an Owl
“I’m laughing out loud.”
Image credit: © Kevin Lohman/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This photograph shows a squirrel pouncing on a fledged great horned owl at Natural Bridge State Beach Park in Santa Cruz, California. Photographer Kevin Roman said the squirrel knocked the owl off its perch three times.
Live Science’s video channel editor Elise Poore said the image made her laugh, although the owl presumably did not share the joke. Long-eared owls hunt squirrels, so the rodent may have had good reason to be especially irritated by the bird.
“Spicy Orangutan” — A Wild Animal With Attitude
An endangered orangutan stands in an unspecified area of Borneo.
Image credit: © Tanner Mansell/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
In “Spicy Orangutan,” a male Bornean orangutan appears to be turning off the camera by holding up one finger. Photographer Tanner Mansell said the orangutan had just finished eating when the picture was taken.
“Even though he was completely wild and just enjoying his meal, I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘Does he know what he’s doing?’” Mansell wrote in the caption.
No, Mansell. He probably does not.
“Ballet Dancer” — A Sparrowhawk Holds the Perfect Pose
A sparrowhawk balances on one leg.
Image credit: © Robert Nairn/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This photograph of a sparrowhawk was taken in Dumfries, Scotland. The title “Ballet Dancer” suits the bird’s elegant pose, although its one-legged balance also resembles an Olympic gymnast midway through a beam routine.
“Pushover” — When a Lion Gets a Helping Hand
“Is it really Punch Lion?”
Image credit: © Barbara Seiberl-Stark/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Taken on the Rukomechi riverbed in Zimbabwe, this image shows one lion appearing to push another down with its paws. It is one of several shortlisted photographs in which animals seem to be laughing, joking or generally enjoying the moment.
“#ForTheGram” — Brown Bears Strike a Pose
Image credit: © Rosie Barrett/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Photographer Rosie Barrett was photographing three one-year-old brown bears in Finland when they appeared to pose for the camera.
“He must have known it was for Instagram. Incredible!” Barrett wrote in the photograph’s caption.
Sorry. Please bear with us.
“Sexy Mantis” — The Insect With a Clever Optical Illusion
Watch out — this mantis may be ready to strike.
Image credit: © Diego Perez/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
At first glance, this praying mantis appears to be posing seductively. But the image contains a clever visual trick: half of the insect’s body is hidden behind leaves, making its forelimbs look like a torso and legs.
Photographer Diego Pérez captured the mantis while documenting wildlife in Peru’s proposed Bosques del Arraza Regional Reserve, an area currently threatened by illegal gold mining.
“Sea Gangsters” — Walruses Look Ready to Make an Offer
These walruses look like they are about to make an offer you can’t refuse.
Image credit: © Marek Jackowski/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This herd of walruses was photographed on the coast of Svalbard, Norway. The title “Sea Gangsters” reflects the animals’ tough appearance, complete with prominent tusks that can grow to about 3 feet (1 meter) long.
“Little Godzilla” — A Red Squirrel Builds a Nest
This red squirrel appears to be celebrating with a mouthful of grass.
Image credit: © Udo Harms/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
This red squirrel looks as if it is celebrating while carrying a mouthful of grass. In reality, the animal may simply be gathering material for its nest. Red squirrels use dry grass and moss to line their homes.
“Something Different” — Giraffes Get a New Hairstyle
The acacia tree behind the giraffe looks like an enormous wig.
Image credit: © Dirk Koster/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards
Sometimes, all a wildlife photographer needs is the Masai Mara, three young giraffes and a perfectly placed acacia tree. The result is an optical illusion that makes the middle giraffe look as if it is wearing a huge green wig.
Giraffes can run at up to 35 mph (56 km/h) in short bursts, so capturing three of them standing still in a perfect line was no small achievement.
These are just a few of the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards finalists. You can see the remaining contestants in Nikon’s 2026 Finalist Gallery. The winners will be announced on Dec. 8.
How well do you know the animal kingdom? Test your knowledge with our animal quiz.
Source: www.livescience.com