Hilarious, Perfectly Timed Finalists from the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards

The finalists for the 2026 Nikon Comedy Wildlife Awards have been revealed, offering another entertaining glimpse into the wonderfully unpredictable world of wildlife. This year’s competition attracted a record-breaking 10,000 entries from photographers across 112 countries, capturing everything from perfectly timed animal expressions to amusing encounters that seem almost too good to be true.

Among the standout images, a praying mantis strikes a surprisingly seductive pose, an elephant covers its own eyes with its trunk, and a tiny squirrel launches an unexpected aerial attack on an owl. In other shots, a cheeky orangutan gives the camera the middle finger, a chameleon looks like it’s walking on hot lava, and three giraffes line up for a family portrait, with a perfectly positioned tree giving one of them an unusual hairstyle.

Founded in 2015 by photographers Paul Joynson-Hicks and Tom Sullam, the annual competition uses humor to celebrate the natural world and encourage wildlife conservation. This year’s winners will be announced on December 8, but in the meantime, you can explore the complete finalists gallery and vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award.

More photography inspiration Discover the finalists