Skip to main content
Live Science Live Science
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
RSS
  • Sign up to our newsletter Newsletter
    • Space
    • Health
    • Planet Earth
    • Animals
    • Archaeology
    • Physics & Math
    • Technology
    • Human Behavior
    • Chemistry
    • More
      • Science news
      • Life's Little Mysteries
      • Science quizzes
      • About us
      • Newsletter
      • Follow us
      • Story archive
    Trending
    • Power plant on the moon
    • Hidden source of clean energy
    • First earthquake fissure on video
    • Milky Way visible across US
    • Earth from space

    Recommended reading

    a tiger looks through a large animal's ribcage
    Animals Images capturing a starving tiger, fighting bison and pit of vipers honored in environmental photography awards
    A woman in a hide using a camera and telephoto lens
    Technology Best cameras for wildlife photography 2025
    author using the OM-1 Mark II in a hide
    Technology Beginner's guide to wildlife photography
    Jase Parnell-Brookes using binoculars
    Animals Best binoculars for bird-watching 2025
    A male of the peacock spider species Maratus jactatus, lifts its leg as part of a mating dance.
    Animals Sparklemuffin peacock spider: The spider with secret iridescent scales that busts a move to win a mate
    woman using a monocular in the countryside
    Technology Best monocular 2025: A lightweight alternative to binoculars, telescopes and spotting scopes
    Jase Parnell Brookes using a pair of binoculars
    Technology Best binoculars 2025: Our picks for stargazing, bird watching and observing wildlife
    1. Animals

    Is this the funniest animal picture ever?

    News
    By Live Science Staff published 16 September 2020

    The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards winner has been announced

    When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

    The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists have been announced

    The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards finalists have been announced

    Feast your eyes on some of the most amusing animal photos ever, as we unveil the winner of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards 2020. The competition is designed to raise awareness of the need for conservation, and it's run in association with Born Free. 

    Competing against 7,000 entries, this year's overall winner was Mark Fitzpatrick for this rebellious turtle picture. "I was swimming with this turtle at Lady Elliot Island on the Great Barrier Reef when he flipped me the bird!" said Fitzpatrick. His picture also won the 'Creatures under the water' award category. 

    "It's been amazing to see the reaction to my photo of Terry the Turtle flipping the bird, with Terry giving people a laugh in what has been a difficult year for many, as well as helping spread an important conservation message," said Fitzpatrick. "Hopefully, Terry the Turtle can encourage more people to take a moment and think about how much our incredible wildlife depend on us and what we can do to help them. Flippers crossed that this award puts Terry in a better mood the next time I see him at Lady Elliot Island!”

    We have also included category winners, highly commended and the finalists in this gallery, so go on and have a chortle at these amazing photos.

    Page 1 of 45
    Page 1 of 45
    Almost time to get up

    Almost time to get up

    ALEX WALKER'S SERIAN CREATURES ON THE LAND AWARD

    Charlie Davidson photographed this amusing racoon in Newport News, Virginia.

    "The raccoon was just waking up and stretching. We have a raccoon in this tree every so often, sometimes for a night and sometimes for a month," said Davidson. 

    Page 2 of 45
    Page 2 of 45
    Hide and seek

    Hide and seek

    SPECTRUM PHOTO CREATURES IN THE AIR AWARD

    This azure damselfly, photographed by Tim Hearn in Devon, U.K., doesn't quite understand hide and seek. 

    "As this Azure damselfly slowly woke up, he became aware of my presence," said Hern. "I was lined up to take a profile picture of his wings and body, but quite sensibly the damsel reacted to the human with the camera by putting the Marsh grass stem between me and it. I took the shot anyway. It was only later that I realised how characterful it was. And how much the damselfly looks like one of the muppets."

    Page 3 of 45
    Page 3 of 45
    O Sole Mio

    O Sole Mio

    AFFINITY PHOTO PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD

    Roland Kranitz photographed this sweet ground squirrel in Hungary. "It's like he was just 'singing' to me! She had a very nice voice," said Kranitz. 

    Page 4 of 45
    Page 4 of 45
    I've got you this time!

    I've got you this time!

    THINK TANK PHOTO JUNIOR CATEGORY WINNER

    Olin Rogers took this photo of a playful lion cub stalking his brother from atop a termite mound at Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

    Page 5 of 45
    Page 5 of 45
    Deadly Fart

    Deadly Fart

    AMAZING INTERNET PORTFOLIO AWARD

    Daisy Gilardini shot this series of images at Lake Clark National Park, Alaska, United States. "A brown bear is lifting its leg to smell after a fart... then collapses," said Gilardini. 

    Page 6 of 45
    Page 6 of 45
    Smiley

    Smiley

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    This smiley Mediterranean parrotfish (Sparisoma cretense) was photographed by Arturo Telle Thiemenn in El Hierro, Canary Islands.

    "Among a group of parrot fish I saw this one, with a crooked mouth, looking like it was smiling," said Thiemenn. "I don't know if it was caused by a fishing hook, or just something hard that it tried to bite. I concentrated on it, and it took me several minutes until I got this frontal shot... and yes, it made my day!"

    Page 7 of 45
    Page 7 of 45
    Tough negotiations

    Tough negotiations

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Ayala Fishaimer photographed this curious conversation in Israel.

    "I was came across a foxes den while I was traveling, looking for some nature, in the nearby fields. I spent an entire magical morning with four cute fox cubs. At some point I noticed that one of the cubs start sniffing around, and a seconds after, he pulled this shrew (which he probably hid there earlier) out of the sand and started playing with it," said Fishaimer. "After a while, the fox cub stood on the stone and threw the shrew in the air... the shrew landed in such a way that it seemed as if they were having a conversation, and he is asking the fox, 'Please don't kill me'. [It] actually reminded me of a Scene from 'The Gruffalo' story."

    Page 8 of 45
    Page 8 of 45
    Seriously, would you share some?

    Seriously, would you share some?

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Krisztina Scheeff photographed this greedy Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica) in Scotland. 

    "Atlantic Puffins are amazing flyers and their fishing talents are - well - as you see some do better than others!" said Scheeff. "I just love the second Puffin's look - can I just have one please?"

    Page 9 of 45
    Page 9 of 45
    I had to stay late at work

    I had to stay late at work

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Luis Burgueño photographed this funny scene between two southern elephant seals at Isla Escondida in Patagonia.

    Page 10 of 45
    Page 10 of 45
    Monkey business

    Monkey business

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Megan Lorenz photographed these frisky pig-tailed macaques at Kinabatangan River in Borneo, Malaysia.

    "While on a trip to Borneo, I had many opportunities to watch monkeys interacting with each other. These Pig-Tailed Macaques showed me a bit more than I bargained for!" said Lorenz. "Don't blame me... I just take the photos, I can't control the wildlife!"

    Page 11 of 45
    Page 11 of 45
    Social distance, please!

    Social distance, please!

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    A rose-ringed parakeet needs some space at Kaudulla National Park, Sri Lanka. Photographed by Petr Sochman.

    "This photo from January 2020 is the beginning of a scene which lasted approximately one minute and in which each of the birds used a foot to clean the partner's beak," said Sochman. "While the whole scene was very informative, this first photo with the male already holding his foot high in the air was just asking to be taken out of the context..."

    Page 12 of 45
    Page 12 of 45
    It's a mocking bird

    It's a mocking bird

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Sally Lloyd-Jones photographed this kingfisher who likes to break the rules in Kirkcudbright, U.K.

    "I was hoping a Kingfisher would land on the 'No Fishing' sign but I was over the moon when it landed for several seconds with a fish," said Lloyd-Jones. "It then flew off with its catch. It appeared to be mocking the person who erected the sign!"

    Page 13 of 45
    Page 13 of 45
    Sun salutation class

    Sun salutation class

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    This laidback sea lion was photographed by Sue Hollis in the Galapagos Islands.

    "We were surprised to see that Sea Lions actively practice Yoga. Guess they need to get their Zen as well," said Hollis. 

    Page 14 of 45
    Page 14 of 45
    Fun for all ages

    Fun for all ages

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Thomas Vijayan captured these gray langurs (Semnopithecus) playing around in Kabini, India.

    "Shooting the most common is the most challenging thing. Langurs are very common but waiting for a right movement is very challenging and needs lots of patience. Photography is not about quantity I consider it more of a quality and a story telling frame which can put a smile in someone’s heart," said Vijayan. "In 2014 I had made 15 trips to India in search of a perfect frame out of these trips. In one of the trips I could only get this frame and I am more than happy with this picture - a playful monkey with its family is a special frame for me."

    Page 15 of 45
    Page 15 of 45
    The race

    The race

    HIGHLY COMMENDED

    Yevhen Samuchenko photographed these adventurous langurs at Hampi, India.

    "My friends and I walked in the center of the small town of Hampi in India. There was a bicycle parking nearby. Suddenly a flock of langurs jumped on these bicycles and began to frolic. We were afraid to frighten them away, [so] I started taking pictures from afar, but then we came very close to them and the langurs continued to play with [the] bicycles," said Samuchenko.

    Page 16 of 45
    Page 16 of 45
    Crashing into the picture

    Crashing into the picture

    FINALIST

    Brigitte Alcalay Marcon captured one of the most amusing photo bombs in the wild, at Etosha National Park, Namibia.

    Page 17 of 45
    Page 17 of 45
    Spreading the wildlife gossip

    Spreading the wildlife gossip

    FINALIST

    Who doesn't like a good gossip? Bernhard Esterer caught these lions in action in the Kalahari Desert, South Africa. 

    Page 18 of 45
    Page 18 of 45
    I could puke

    I could puke

    FINALIST

    We've all been there. Christina Holfelder snapped this gentoo penguin's well-timed event in the Falkland Islands.

    Page 19 of 45
    Page 19 of 45
    Tern tuning its wings

    Tern tuning its wings

    FINALIST

    Danielle D'Ermo photographed this common tern "tuning its wings" in Florida.

    Page 20 of 45
    Page 20 of 45
    Hi y'all

    Hi y'all

    FINALIST

    Eric Fisher met this friendly brown bear in Alaska.

    Page 21 of 45
    Page 21 of 45
    Doggo

    Doggo

    FINALIST

    Not all bears are as forthcoming, as Esa Ringbom discovered in Kuhmo, East Finland.

    Page 22 of 45
    Page 22 of 45
    The inside joke

    The inside joke

    FINALIST

    Femke van Willigen photographed this amused Eurasian red squirrel in Espelo, Netherlands.

    Page 23 of 45
    Page 23 of 45
    COVID hair

    COVID hair

    FINALIST

    Lockdown wasn't kind to our locks, as this reddish egret can sympathise with. This photo was shot by Gail Bisson in Fort De Soto, Florida.

    Page 24 of 45
    Page 24 of 45
    Lamentation!

    Lamentation!

    FINALIST

    Jacques Poulard captured this polar bear's head-in-hand moment in Spitzberg, Norway. 

    Page 25 of 45
    Page 25 of 45
    Like mother like daughter

    Like mother like daughter

    FINALIST

    An affectionate moment between Asian elephants, caught on camera by Jagdeep Rajput in Corbett National Park, India.

    Page 26 of 45
    Page 26 of 45
    Peekaboo

    Peekaboo

    FINALIST

    We're not sure we would be brave enough to play peekaboo with a royal bengal tiger, but that's just what Jagdeep Rajput did at Ranthambore National Park, India.

    Page 27 of 45
    Page 27 of 45
    Just chillin'

    Just chillin'

    FINALIST

    Jill Neff caught this racoon hanging out in Jackson, Ohio.

    Page 28 of 45
    Page 28 of 45
    I think this tyre's gonna be flat

    I think this tyre's gonna be flat

    FINALIST

    These curious young grizzly bears were photographed by Kay Kotzian in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

    Page 29 of 45
    Page 29 of 45
    Having a laugh

    Having a laugh

    FINALIST

    This seal certainly finds something funny! It was photographed having a laugh by Ken Crossan in Caithness, Scotland.

    Page 30 of 45
    Page 30 of 45
    Wait up Mommy, look what I got for you!

    Wait up Mommy, look what I got for you!

    FINALIST

    Kunal Gupta caught this wonderful moment between two elephants in Kaziranga, India.

    Page 31 of 45
    Page 31 of 45
    Macaque striking a pose

    Macaque striking a pose

    FINALIST

    This macaque in Uluwatu Temple, Bali is giving photographer Luis Martí­ its best pose. 

    Page 32 of 45
    Page 32 of 45
    Surprise smiles

    Surprise smiles

    FINALIST

    Asaf Sereth photographed these alert dwarf mongooses at Lake Bogoria, Kenya.

    Page 33 of 45
    Page 33 of 45
    Laughing hippo

    Laughing hippo

    FINALIST

    Manoj Shah photographed these hippos sharing a moment in Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya.

    Page 34 of 45
    Page 34 of 45
    Boredom

    Boredom

    FINALIST

    Marcus Westberg photographed this fed up mountain gorilla in Mgahinga Gorilla National Park, Uganda.

    Page 35 of 45
    Page 35 of 45
    Socially uninhibited

    Socially uninhibited

    FINALIST

    Don't mind us! Martin Grace caught this cheeky chacma baboon at River Chobe, Botswana.

    Page 36 of 45
    Page 36 of 45
    It's the last day of school holidays

    It's the last day of school holidays

    FINALIST

    Max Teo photographed these smooth-coated otters in an uncomfortable hug in Singapore.

    Page 37 of 45
    Page 37 of 45
    Quiet please

    Quiet please

    FINALIST

    Mike Lessel photographed this shushing kestrel at Huntington Beach, California.

    Page 38 of 45
    Page 38 of 45
    How can I fly?

    How can I fly?

    FINALIST

    This eagle owl chick was photographed in Sakaka Al-Jouf, Saudi Arabia by Nader Al-Shammari.

    Page 39 of 45
    Page 39 of 45
    No penguins under here!

    No penguins under here!

    FINALIST

    Pearl Kasparian photographed this penguin illustrating a point at Boulder's Beach, Cape Town, South Africa.

    Page 40 of 45
    Page 40 of 45
    I am champion

    I am champion

    FINALIST

    Photographer Ramesh Letchmanan celebrated with this snow monkey at Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japan. 

    Page 41 of 45
    Page 41 of 45
    Faceplant

    Faceplant

    FINALIST

    Ouch! Tim Hearn caught this African Elephant's faceplant in Namibia.

    Page 42 of 45
    Page 42 of 45
    Abracadabra

    Abracadabra

    FINALIST

    Vicki Jauron photographed this magical brown pelican at Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

    Page 43 of 45
    Page 43 of 45
    So hot

    So hot

    FINALIST

    Wei Ping Peng took this great photo of an uncomfortable snow monkey in Japan.

    Page 44 of 45
    Page 44 of 45
    We all have that friend

    We all have that friend

    FINALIST

    There's always one isn't there? Yarin Klein photographed this funny brown bear in Kuril Lake, Kamchatka, Russia.

    Page 45 of 45
    Page 45 of 45
    Live Science Staff
    Live Science Staff
    Social Links Navigation
    For the science geek in everyone, Live Science offers a fascinating window into the natural and technological world, delivering comprehensive and compelling news and analysis on everything from dinosaur discoveries, archaeological finds and amazing animals to health, innovation and wearable technology. We aim to empower and inspire our readers with the tools needed to understand the world and appreciate its everyday awe.
    Read more
    a tiger looks through a large animal's ribcage
    Images capturing a starving tiger, fighting bison and pit of vipers honored in environmental photography awards
    A woman in a hide using a camera and telephoto lens
    Best cameras for wildlife photography 2025
    author using the OM-1 Mark II in a hide
    Beginner's guide to wildlife photography
    Jase Parnell-Brookes using binoculars
    Best binoculars for bird-watching 2025
    A male of the peacock spider species Maratus jactatus, lifts its leg as part of a mating dance.
    Sparklemuffin peacock spider: The spider with secret iridescent scales that busts a move to win a mate
    woman using a monocular in the countryside
    Best monocular 2025: A lightweight alternative to binoculars, telescopes and spotting scopes
    Latest in Animals
    a researcher compares fossil footprints to a modern iguana foot
    Reptiles evolved earlier than we thought, newly discovered claw-mark fossils suggest
    a hoatzin bird leaping in the air with blue sky background
    Hoatzin: The strange 'stinkbird' born with clawed wings that appears to be an evolutionary 'orphan'
    Two young lions (Panthera leo) in the Masai Mara National Park in Kenya.
    Big cats quiz: Can you get the lion's share of these questions right?
    Closeup of an Asian needle ant worker carrying prey in its mouth on a wooden surface.
    Invasive Asian needle ants are surging in US Southeast — and their bite can trigger anaphylaxis
    Photo shows an egg hatching out of a 'genital pore' in a snail's neck.
    Watch elusive New Zealand snail lay an egg through a 'genital pore' in its neck
    side-by-side images of a baboon and a gorilla
    What's the difference between apes and monkeys?
    Latest in News
    Fragment of a stone with relief carving in the ground
    'Quite enigmatic': Rare stone carving of Assyrian king surrounded by gods discovered in Iraq
    An illustration of microbiota in the gut
    'Truly miraculous': Common gut microbe shows promise as fatty liver disease treatment
    an illustration of DNA
    Immune genes linked to bigger brains and longer lifespans in mammals — including humans
    images showing auroras on Jupiter
    James Webb telescope reveals 'impossible' auroras on Jupiter that have astronomers scratching their heads
    An image of a star shedding layers of gas at the end of its life and leaving a white dwarf behind.
    Death of the universe predicted to arrive much sooner using Stephen Hawking-inspired theory
    a researcher compares fossil footprints to a modern iguana foot
    Reptiles evolved earlier than we thought, newly discovered claw-mark fossils suggest
    LATEST ARTICLES
    1. images showing auroras on Jupiter
      1
      James Webb telescope reveals 'impossible' auroras on Jupiter that have astronomers scratching their heads
    2. 2
      Death of the universe predicted to arrive much sooner using Stephen Hawking-inspired theory
    3. 3
      'Truly miraculous': Common gut microbe shows promise as fatty liver disease treatment
    4. 4
      'Quite enigmatic': Rare stone carving of Assyrian king surrounded by gods discovered in Iraq
    5. 5
      Immune genes linked to bigger brains and longer lifespans in mammals — including humans

    Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

    • About Us
    • Contact Future's experts
    • Terms and conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Cookies policy
    • Accessibility Statement
    • Advertise with us
    • Web notifications
    • Careers
    • Editorial standards
    • How to pitch a story to us

    © Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

    Please login or signup to comment

    Please wait...