June 3, 2025, 3:48 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
For exactly ten years, the Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have been recognizing the funniest wildlife photos from amateur and professional photographers worldwide. Although the submission deadline for this year is still a few weeks away, PETBOOK is already showcasing a selection of entries that seem to have a particularly good chance of winning an award.
Most people associate wildlife photography with cute animal babies and spectacular shots of predators chasing each other through picturesque natural settings. The words “fun” or “humor” are hardly ever part of the equation. The creators of the “Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards” aim to change that: They have invited photographers to submit their funniest wildlife snapshots. More than a thousand images have already been received, they say. Nevertheless, they want to present a selection of particularly successful entries now and encourage more photographers to submit their work. The submission of the funniest wildlife photos is open until June 30, 2025.
Listen Who’s Burping
A popular saying goes: “You see everything if you live long enough.” This also applies to the submission by Emma Parker (photo at the top). She captured two blue-spotted mudskippers seemingly having a burping contest. Whether they are actually burping is hard to say. For the photographer herself, it looks more like they’re laughing, she explains her work. These “two happy mudskippers look like they’re having the best time in the mud—I just wish I knew what the joke is!”
Also interesting: The Funniest Wildlife Photos 2024
Alarm Siren
Another entry that has a good chance of winning the trophy for one of the funniest wildlife photos of 2025 is the snapshot by Annette Kirby. She observed a white-tailed sea eagle in Hokkaido, Japan, showcasing its talent as a sustainable alarm siren while protecting its prey. “This shot was taken in Japan, where I watched a sea eagle place its fish in a hole and guard it. This sea eagle saw another eagle coming and trying to steal it.” For the photographer, it looked as if it was shouting at the other bird to leave immediately. Whether it succeeded in driving away the potential fish thief is not reported.
The Fairest of Them All
Hand on heart: Nothing beats that “fresh-from-the-salon” feeling. When your top hair is just right, nothing can shake you. The white rhinoceros that Yann Chauvette from Quebec City captured knows this too. About this unique encounter in a national park in Nepal, the photographer says: “A white rhinoceros feasts in the water, dives underwater, and emerges with a new wig from its delicious meal.” The result: This rhino has better hair than most people on their wedding day.
Bambi Airlines
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Is it Superman? No, it’s a flying deer! Proving it needs neither wings nor an engine to take off is the submission by Jeremy Duvekot and Vortum Mullem. They captured what they call the happiest deer in the world. “This deer was running around full of energy and suddenly came toward me. I had only one chance and I got it.” Will this snapshot change the saying from flying money to flying deer?
A Hint with a Flamethrower
If a dragon waves at you on a walk, it’s a sign that you’re either dreaming—or have watched “Game of Thrones” too long. Or you’re Trevor Rix. He spotted a Gippsland water dragon during a hike. “While hiking along the Murrumbidgee River, we discovered some lizards searching for food under the rocks. Next, this young Gippsland water dragon appeared and waved at us.” Some call it a coincidence, others a hint with a flamethrower.
A Strange Fever Dream
Let’s stay in the realm of the fabulous fever dream of Rachelle Mackintosh. She captured a lava lizard taking control of a Galapagos marine iguana and embarking on a journey. Judging by the possessed eyes of the iguana, the lava lizard might be in charge, she explains her snapshot. “A lava lizard takes control of a Galapagos marine iguana and embarks on a journey. Judging by the possessed eyes of the iguana, the lava lizard might be in charge.”
But Who’s Burping?
Maybe not laugh-out-loud funny but still very unusual is the observation by Bhargava Srivari from India. His picture shows two lion siblings playing, with one sibling seemingly encouraging the other to do something that might get them in trouble. “It looks like these two playful lion siblings are having a great time, but one seems to be egging the other on to do something naughty. Siblings will be siblings, even in the animal kingdom.”
