Laughter therapy: hilarious animal photos to brighten your day

Comedic critters

Whenever you think of wildlife photography, majestic images of cheetahs stalking at sunrise, soaring eagles during the salmon run, or a pod of elegant orcas closing in on their prey, might spring to mind. But sometimes, the shutter clicks and catches the animal in a far less dignified moment. Before this year’s winners of the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards get announced in October, we take a look at some of our favorite entries from previous years.

Read on to see funny photos of wildlife that'll work your chuckle muscles...

Caught red-handed

These two sneaky bandits found themselves bang to rights when they were spied at the bottom of a suspiciously empty trash can. Just look at that face – guilty as charged, Your Honor. The raccoons' lawyers are yet to give a statement.

We’ve all been there

This orangutan just CC'd a work email he should have BCC'd, and is now contemplating leaving the country and retraining as a chimpanzee.

Animal crossing

It's pouring with rain, you forgot your umbrella and you're already late for the school run, and then you have to wait for a lizard to slowly cross the road. The day can only improve for this capybara family and their pet bird.

Kan-girling

Katy the western gray kangaroo was very excited to get front-row tickets to see Taylor Swift. So much so that security had to step in when the chorus dropped for Shake It Off...

Sibling rivalry

The triplets are squabbling over the TV remote again. King Kong or Planet of the Apes? It's a tough choice. Not pictured: mama macaque screaming into the void as she stares down yet another day of torment.

Branch manager

There's supposed to be a stag in this photo, but we couldn't tell you where...

“Another pina colada, please”

This grizzly bear's out-of-office is on and she's on her fifth cocktail at the beach bar already.

“Does my bum look big in this?”

Wilbur the wolf's mona monkey took his friend's question a little too literally and is now investigating.

Happy feet

These two fluffy gentoo penguin chicks make the cutest double act. This great photo catches them skipping through grass on the Falkland Islands like a beflippered Laurel and Hardy. 

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Judgement day

Why do we feel like this giraffe is questioning every life decision we’ve ever made?

Not into PDA

Amy the Arctic wolf had big plans for her and Asa's romantic weekend away. But Asa just wasn't feeling it...

Rough night

When you have to be up early but your neighbors were blasting jungle music at full volume until the small hours of the morning. Somebody get this toad a coffee, pronto.

A spring in his step

This limber lemur just remembered it's payday and is celebrating with an impromptu boogie.

The floor is lava

Let's play a game, they said. It would be fun, they said. These common gallinules are wishing they'd never agreed to playing hopscotch on this slimy pond. Good luck washing that off, folks.

In fine voice

It’s karaoke night for these Californian sea lions and they're practising their best rendition of Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees. Long wigs and white flares are primed and ready for action, just out of shot.

Lining up the shot

This curious fox getting artsy in the Alps takes the meaning of 'wildlife photographer' to a whole other level.

On the edge

That feeling when you've lost control of the day and have no idea how your inbox suddenly crept up to 87 unread messages.

Bad habit

This young male western lowland gorilla thought no one was looking when he decided to have a cheeky dig up his nose. He was mistaken...

The end is nigh

If this fish is religious, now would be a good time to say a prayer.

All aboard

Hattie the hippo moonlights as a water taxi service – very popular with the local terrapins and red-billed oxpeckers. She's available for all of your transportation needs and charges competitive prices.

“Vengeance will be mine!”

This very dramatic squirrel looks like it's about to summon all of the Earth's elemental energy to use against its archenemy. Or perform a passionate Shakespearean soliloquy.

Last Christmas

This wild turkey just checked its calendar. Brunch with the girls, followed by a hot date with destiny…

When you gotta go…

You gotta go! We hope there's plenty of Charmin Ultra in Kruger National Park. Bet Robert the white rhino is regretting that extra blade of grass now.

“Draw me like one of your French girls”

This lazy lion is just letting it all hang out.

If looks could kill

Count your lucky stars that you're not on the receiving end of Betty the baboon's icy glare. She leaves a trail of shattered egos wherever she goes.

In plain sight

This clan of Egyptian ducks are actually international criminal masterminds. They've been known to outsmart the FBI and now London's Metropolitan Police. Will they ever be brought to justice?

Professional procrastinator

When you have a to-do list as long as the last piece of bamboo you ate, but having a nap sounds like a far more tempting proposition.

Marching orders

This feisty little greenfinch is channelling its inner Gloria Gaynor. If it were possible to hear a photo, we know exactly how this one would sound.

Felt cute, might delete later

Kudos to Leonardo the llama for this very impressive selfie. Must have been tricky without thumbs.

Shocking behavior

We’re not sure what’s gone on here, but we can only assume this ground squirrel just watched the bathtub scene from Saltburn. Thank goodness he has an emotional support carrot to get him through this confusing time.

Morning yoga

A good stretch is always the best way to start the day.

My nest, my rules

This owl parent seems to be laying down the law but their offspring is showing typical adolescent indifference.

Whatcha got there?

This penguin seems mightily fascinated by the camera.

Bear as bard?

If this little bear cub is hoping to be a future Shakespeare, someone needs to teach him how to hold a quill.

In perfect harmony

Who's going to give these zebras a record deal?

You want me to share?

If this guillemot was hoping for a quiet dinner for one he probably should have looked for another landing spot.

Camel influencers

These bactrian camels are pushing the floral wreath look for this season.

Model looks

Life is a catwalk for these preening lappet-faced vultures.

Giraffes in love

Every day seems to be Valentine’s Day for these two long-necked lovebirds.

I thought I was supposed to be good at this

It seems those legendary cat reflexes have yet to develop in this three-month-old lion cub.

When I agreed to babysit this was not what I had in mind

This cat seems less than amused at having been put in charge of these ducklings. Perhaps she’s worried that they’re going to ask her for swimming lessons.

"Greedy, moi?"

If sharing is caring, then this panda is as apathetic as can be.

Three’s a crowd

Looks like someone has been left out in the cold. Awww!

Holding on for a ride

These bear cubs are going to be disappointed if they expect mama to give them a piggy back.

Slow hands

This sloth is hoping to be the next Eric Clapton.

Laughing out loud

Whatever the joke is, we’d love to be in on it.

Three heads are better than one

Some people accuse giraffes of having small brains, so this trio decided that shared knowledge was the way forward.

Peek-a-boo!

This cheeky bird knows how to grab the spotlight!

Watch out for that tree

Looks like the GPS has gone a bit haywire for this unfortunate mallard.

Pick meeee!

We all remember this feeling from school PE lessons. Let’s hope this little guy gets selected soon.

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