The funniest animal photos of all time

All creatures in nature possess their own dignity, but they also exhibit a potential for foolishness, clumsiness, and dim-wittedness. While there are proud and noble hounds with their noses held high, there are also awkward and graceless mutts scurrying across the rug. In addition to majestic stallions thundering impressively over the sand, there are also cantankerous nags pinning their ears to their skulls as they snake their heads over the stable door. It is remarkable that these behaviors can be exhibited by the same animals, just moments apart.

#1 Remake of Battle of the Bastards – GOT

It was a typical day at the sheep yard for Izzie the black kelpie until, according to Tasmanian farmer Charlie MacKinnon, his “top dog” got into a predicament. Izzy was assisting with herding sheep on MacKinnon’s family farm when she slipped and became trapped, as Mackinnon recounted: “Izzy just sat there, as seen in the photo, looking at me, so I pulled out my phone and captured the moment.” Fortunately, she was promptly rescued. A single copy of the photo was displayed on MacKinnon’s refrigerator for years before he submitted it to a sheep photography competition – it quickly captured the hearts of thousands when it went viral on social media.

#2 You can’t see me…

Esa Ringbom has dedicated over three decades to capturing images of large predators in the untamed landscapes of eastern Finland and along the Russian border. For instance, he photographed a bashful brown bear engaging in a game of peekaboo behind a tree near Kuhmo. By remaining quietly concealed in a hide, Ringbom is able to gain the trust of these bears, allowing them to come within close proximity – sometimes just a meter away. “Although this particular bear was aware of my presence, it showed no signs of distress,” he remarks. Nevertheless, in different circumstances, “bears are typically timid and cautious creatures. Encountering one in the wild can be a challenging task for us humans. If they detect anything out of the ordinary, they swiftly retreat.”

#3 Howdy…

Brown bears along the coast of Alaska feast on fish during the summer season, accumulating fat reserves to survive the harsh winter. Alan Vernon, an amateur photographer, captured a serene moment of one bear lounging on a gravel bar in between meals. “He mostly rested on his stomach,” Vernon mentioned in a social media post, “but briefly he rolled onto his back and entertained us. I was on the shore with six others, standing approximately 100 yards away. It was a truly special experience.”

#4 Look at my pretty face..

The mischievous macaque captured in this photograph was photographed by a Celebes crested macaque in Indonesia, using the camera equipment of British photographer David Slater. After spending several days getting to know a group of macaques in Sulawesi, Slater decided to set up a selfie-station to pique their interest. “Once they began interacting with the camera and playing with the cable release,” he explained, “I had to move closer to prevent the tripod from toppling over. While I was lying on the ground stabilizing the tripod, I heard the sound of shots being taken. When I looked up, I saw a gleeful macaque making faces at its own reflection as the camera clicked away. It was truly a comical moment.”

#5 Bad day for our fellow buffalo

It seems like it has been a tough day for this patient buffalo, captured in Kenya’s Meru National Park by Tom Stables while documenting the work of the Born Free Foundation. Stables mentions that the region is “fairly barren and sparsely populated”, so stumbling upon this disreputable pair in this uncomfortable post-poo scenario brought Stables some light-heartedness after a long day of safari adventures. “I always try to find humor,” he explains. “It makes conservation more relatable and allows us to connect with a wider audience.”

#6 So rude…

This Indian chameleon, captured in the Western Ghats mountain range by Gurumoorthy K, appears to be signaling for you to stay off his territory. Chameleons alter their colors for purposes of communication and thermoregulation; vibrant hues, such as this striking green, typically suggest that they are in search of a mate.

#7 Its not my fault, I didn’t do anything

Each year, elephant seals congregate on a specific beach near San Simeon, California, as noted by American nature photographer George Cathcart. He explains, “In December, thousands of seals of various ages come ashore to give birth, nurse their young, and mate before returning to the ocean.” Male seals arrive on land to “establish their territories,” often engaging in physical confrontations that can be quite brutal, albeit somewhat awkward. “Their antics can be rather amusing as they attempt to swat each other with their snouts,” he remarks. “To my knowledge, there are no formal rules governing these encounters among elephant seals, yet one participant appears to believe that his rival has acted unfairly, so to speak.”

#8 Smile is my charm

Arturo Telle Thiemann, an underwater photographer, encountered a very cheerful Mediterranean parrotfish while diving off El Hierro in the Canary Islands. The fish’s toothsome grin reminded him of Finding Nemo. Telle Thiemann patiently waited for the fish to swim towards him, capturing the perfect shot. He acknowledges that fish can be challenging photo subjects, as they are often shy of intruders. However, he recalls the words of Bruce Lee and adapts to the environment, just like water.

#9 I am a Rock star……..

Although kangaroos are often associated with playful antics, Jason Moore, a photographer from Perth, Australia, describes them as “relatively docile and somewhat unexciting most of the time.” Nevertheless, their “stunning” faces create captivating portraits, possessing an anthropomorphic charm that captures attention. “In essence, individuals readily connect with human-like expressions or stances in animals, finding these images endearing, amusing, or generally enjoyable to view.” This female kangaroo, seemingly in the midst of a guitar solo, exemplifies this notion. The photograph, which won the 2023 Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, was captured during the golden hour of Western Australia’s wildflower season, a time when the typically barren landscape bursts with color, albeit with the drawback of thick grass teeming with ticks and biting insects for Moore. “The lengths we photographers will go to, just to capture that perfect shot!” he remarks.

#10 Another day in this cruel world..

Reports about the significant number of wild cats on Ainoshima island in Japan sparked the interest of professional cat photographer Kenichi Morinaga. He explained, “I prefer to spend my days walking from sunrise to sunset, without taking a break, in search of relaxed cats.” One particular hefty cat lounging by the harbor with a mafia-like demeanor stood out to him. Morinaga remarked, “This boss-like cat never fails to bring a smile to our faces… Perhaps it’s his impressive physique. Moreover, his laid-back sitting posture is both amusing and endearing, making him a humorous sight.”

#11 Peek a boo

Daisy Gilardini has captured images of polar bears during her expeditions to various locations such as the Svalbard archipelago, Greenland, Russia, and the Canadian high Arctic. She describes the most rewarding experience as witnessing a mother bear emerging from her den in spring with her new cubs. However, this requires enduring temperatures of -50C or even lower. Gilardini emphasizes that the freezing cold hours, days, and weeks spent waiting in front of a den are all worthwhile. She considers the cold as a challenge, as the camera gradually freezes, starting from the batteries, then the control panel, and monitor. Eventually, the photographer must take shots without being able to see the screen. Gilardini mentions that practice is key, stating that the only way to improve is to continue shooting and hope for the best. During one particular instance, the mother bear’s cubs were struggling to keep up as she hurried downhill through deep snow. One of the cubs decided to hitch a ride on its mother’s behind, showcasing an unexpectedly funny behavior.

#12 Stay away from me…

Mary McGowan, an amateur photographer, got to know her neighbors by placing seeds and nuts for the birds and squirrels that frequent her Florida garden. She managed to capture the gestures of an angry individual, who displayed the same intense fury as a New York pedestrian. “He seemed to be coughing or something, but after a few seconds, he was back to normal and resumed eating,” McGowan explained.