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Check out these hilarious animal photos

A yellow bird can be seen staring straight into the camera looking cross. It has a brighter yellow coloured stripe on its head. Jan Wittmer/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

This photo of an 'angry bird' - Europe's smallest bird, a goldcrest - was taken in Germany

The entries to the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards 2026 have been released, so we thought we'd show you a selection of some of the funniest.

This year 40 individual finalists were chosen, as well as three from the under-16s category.

The competition received the highest number in its history, with more than 10,000 entries being submitted, from a total of 112 countries.

Let us know in the comments if you have a favourite.

A green mantis is seen on a leaf. The photo makes it look like it's reclining on a leaf with its 'hands' behind it. Diego Perez/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

This tiny green mantis was seen peeking over a leaf in Cusco, Peru

A blenny is seen looking into the camera with its mouth open. Fabi Fregonesi/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The photographer said the expression of this blenny in Brazil reminded him of the panic you feel when you wake up late

The awards began in 2015 as a fun, light-hearted competition, but organisers said it has since grown into a "world renowned award, reaching billions of people and carrying a vital conservation message at its core".

Each year, 10% of the competition's profits are donated to the Whitley Fund for Nature, supporting its Next Gen initiative.

A squirrel is seen standing on grass and carrying a collection of moss and grass in its mouthUdo Harms/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

This squirrel had taken a bit too much in its mouth – but it made for a funny photo

A blue coloured insect is seen looking through a hole in a green leafLee Frost/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The photographer managed to take this shot by gently placing a leaf in front of a sleepy damselfly

A bight green reptile is seen looking startledRobert Gondek/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The photographer thought this Senegal chameleon looked less like a reptile and more like a tiny green action hero in this shot

A bear is seen standing in front of a tree with its hands in the air Rosie Barrett/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

This shot of a brown bear posing was taken when the photographer was observing them in Finland

A fish jumps out of the water in front of a bird, which makes it appear like the bird has a fish where its head should beEigil B Jensen

This anhinga, also called a 'snakebird', was seen in Costa Rica with the shot taken at the exact moment a fish jumped out of the water, blocking its face

Two elephant seals have their mouth open as they playDoug Gimesy/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

These two southern elephant seals were seen playing with each other, occasionally trying to gently bite each other's neck

An water buffalo is seen in the grass with shrubs all over its head Andy Rouse/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

When this water buffalo in Sri Lanka lifted her head up, the photographer thought it looked like she had a fancy bonnet on

Sitting in a hide on a very hot day next to my dad, we waited for foxes to emerge from their den in a nearby wood into a meadow. When they did, they seemed to be in an excellent mood. This one sat in the tall grass and appeared to laugh at us. Perhaps he realised we'd been sweating away in the hide. I had the last laugh though, as I captured this image of him.Jack Brackley/Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

This entry from the under-16s shows foxes emerging from their den - and thankfully they seemed to be in an excellent mood