Sibling rivalry is a phenomenon that is prevalent across the animal kingdom. Whether you’re a human, a lion, a monkey, a rhino, a dog, or a fish, you’re ultimately competing with your brothers and sisters for the approval of your parents, for the most food, and ultimately, survival.
This is also the case in the aviary community. As you can see, these two sparrows don’t let their familial connection get in the way of a fight. While balancing on a branch, they peck at each other, for what we reason, we don’t know. Maybe one chirped something offensive to the other.
Keeping Home Clean
Most of the important chores we have to do on a daily basis are to make sure the place where we live stays comfortable and clean. This red-tailed hawk is doing something similar here. As we all know, birds will make the bathroom business anywhere they want, from famous statues to your new car.
The one place they try not to let get messy is their own nest. Birds will angle their patooties away to make sure the place where they sleep doesn't have anything nasty inside it. It might not be all that fun to look at (see here), but it still has to happen.
Argument in Process
Hey, hey, hey! Stop shouting, don't you two know that you're endangered? All that stress is going to wreak havoc on your sleep schedule, and nobody wants that. Yes, it seems that even giant tortoises get into marital spats, though we wonder if they do those with the same glacial pace as they go through the rest of life.
The shouting matches could last for days, and then the zone of silence after the fight could go on for months. At least we know that neither of them will be throwing any plates. They don't use them. Also, those big shells mean that plates would just shatter and do no damage.
I Am So Hungry
It seems like there's little we can do to make sure squirrels stay away from food that isn't theirs. You can put up all the special bird feeders that you want, but they're going to pull tricks like this one on a regular basis. This example has a squirrel pulling an acrobatic move to get at that good bird seed, and may your squirrel guards be forgotten like the silly little pieces of plastic they are.
Maybe if squirrels remember where they had buried all those nuts last winter, they wouldn't need to do this sort of thing. But then we would have fewer trees.
Oh Boy, Lunchables!
While most of the time, we consider the human world of cities and towns and the natural world of forests and mountains to be separate, it's clear that sometimes they can overlap. For instance, this black bear is seen here enjoying some tasty garbage that humans have thrown out. The black bear might think this is its best option, but this isn't recommended.
That stuff was thrown out for a reason, and animals might not want to be eating it. Additionally, the animals might start to get bolder around the trappings of humanity and start going up to back doors, saying hi to pets, and things like that.
No Pictures, Please
Even birds can get a little camera-shy, it seems. This bird – a Canada Jay – was just trying to enjoy a meal of some leftover bread when a wildlife photographer caught it in the act.
Who knows if the jay was trying to protect its identity or if it was just trying to figure out the best way to get home with such a feast in its beak? We just don't get a look at the bird's face in this picture. Such a shame, too – Canada Jays are cute little creatures that can go anywhere and do anything.
Mom Said It's My Turn in the Mud Pit
Lots of animals are the playful type, especially when they're young. Human children aren't the only ones who have far too much energy to burn off, and it looks like elephants go about it in similar ways. They go down to the dirtiest thing they can find and push each other around for a little while.
Elephants, in particular, do this because it helps them cool down after a day in the hot sun, and they don't even have to sit in the bathtub afterward, the lucky beasts. These two young elephant calves seem to be enjoying themselves.
I Am the Drill That Will Pierce the Heavens!
While it looks like this bird is about to take off and drill through solid rock, it's really just trying to shake some excess moisture off after diving into the water. Malachite Kingfishers, so named for the green crest on their foreheads, will dive into the water to catch some delicious fish, but that often leaves them soaked all the way through their feathers.
Thankfully, they live in hot places like the African Sahara and similar areas. Their big bills let them snap up fish, but they can't go for anything too big – they only grow to about five inches in length, so it's not like they're snagging bass.
It's in There Somewhere, We Swear
If you're trying to get a good picture of an armadillo, you have to be a little bit more eagle-eyed than the person who took this pic. We wouldn't have even known it was an armadillo if not for the description, but we guess we can see it.
The tell-tale plates that give an armadillo its unique method of protection are seen below the big mound of dirt and mud that is, we assume, the creature's head. Though it could also very well be the rear end of the armadillo. We think we see an ear on the right side, but who knows?
Working Hard for All of Us
The Eastern Red Bat, which we see in this pic, is a migratory tree rooster. Not like a male chicken, we mean they roost in trees. While it looks like this bat, we'll call him Hieronymus, is a big, big boy, in reality, they only get up to about four and a half inches at their full size.
Not very big, but they make up for it by doing something great for all of us – every night, these bats go out and eat about half their body weight in bugs. That's good work. It still might be only three to six grams of bugs, but how many bugs have you eaten lately? Yeah, that's what we thought.
What It Looks Like Underneath a Seagull
We know you've always wanted to know what it looks like, so here you go. Now you can check off “See the underside of a seagull” on your bucket list. We bet there's somebody out there that actually has that on their bucket list! There are all kinds.
And now that we've seen a seagull from underneath...it kind of looks like we imagined. It doesn't take the greatest minds of the generation to picture what the underside of a bird looks like. Still, now we don't have to guess.
There Is, in Fact, a Turtle in There
Look closely, and you'll be able to see some wildlife in its natural element. Turns out wildlife in its natural element is a little hard to make out, which is why there aren't many pictures of it. We're told that this is a snapping turtle, but we don't know how anybody could possibly tell.
Have you ever thought about how snapping turtles got their names? The first people to find them were like, “Cool, turtles. Ah, it bit me! I'm gonna name you after that fact, you meanie!”
Moments Before Disaster
All this poor guy wanted to do was take a picture of himself against a slate-gray sky for some reason. He left a little bit too much space above him, and some bird decided to give him what might be the worst photo bomb that has ever been taken in the history of ever.
We can't be certain that suspicious payload did strike the man, but it certainly looks like it would. Well, at the very least, he won't have a hard time getting it out of his hair. Look, we're sorry, bud, but you have to take the wins as they come.
Bad Feather Day
Emu is one of the stranger birds on our big, beautiful planet. They're related to the ostrich, so they're pretty darn big – close to six feet tall, the second largest bird around, after their close relatives, the ostrich (which can get nine feet tall! Holy smokes!). Emus have a lot of great features – they lay eggs, they hunt down pests, they taste great, and they even make halfway-decent pets.
One thing they don't really have going for them, however, is their personal style. They tend to look like they just woke up, and this example might be one of the worst we've ever seen.
I Could Just Eat You Up
Try not to stare for too long – these two iguanas are getting a little cozy, so let's give them the privacy they deserve. We aren't sure why Mr. Iguana is chewing on the back of the Missus, but maybe that's just something that happens in the heat of the moment. Who knows, maybe it's an iguana-specific feature.
Well, we should probably get going. We're getting the stink-eye from both of these beasts, and the look from the mister seems a little frustrated. Don't mind us folks, just passing through. Maybe next time, don't do it right next to the pool.
Jumped by the Paparazzi
None of us like to be surprised that much unless it's for, like, free donuts or something similar. Being surprised by someone who has a camera is even worse than a normal surprise, and this big green heron is responding in kind. Quite the expressive fellow, isn't he?
He looks pretty big, too, however, green herons actually only grow up to between sixteen and eighteen inches and come in at a max weight of about six ounces. Birds have to be pretty light if they want to be able to fly. Nice way to get away from cameras, it seems.
Bird Butt — Front and Center
There are zillions and zillions of birds out there in the wild and almost as many pictures of birds for us to put on this list. But how about a picture that is one hundred percent patootie? This bird – we're not sure what kind it is – was going into the water for a snack of fish when someone took a pic from behind, catching the bird's bad side in a big way.
We could barely even tell it was a bird at first. Of course, it was probably a great time for a pic immediately before and after this moment.
Making a Break for It
He's trying to make a getaway, but obviously, it's going to take him a while. We all know slugs as one of the slower creatures of the animal kingdom relative to their size. In fact, slugs are some of the slowest creatures on Earth, able to move just six and a half inches per minute. We guess that's what happens if you only have one foot. And one lung. And no spine.
Still, at least they leave that cool little trail behind them, so you see exactly where they've been. This single picture looks like a few hours of work for the subject.
So That's Where the Name Comes From
Yes, believe it or not, real frogs do actually play leapfrog. You might think that's obvious, but there is tons of misinformation out there about what animals do and don't do. Did you know that vultures don't sit around asking each other what they want to do all the time?
However, we doubt that these frogs actually got together to have real fun – we assume that they were all just taking a quick kip on the same log, and then one of them decided to move on. It's a pretty good action shot, all things considered, and we like the colors, too.
Do You Mind?
A couple of drakes go bobbing for food under the water, and then somebody decides to take pictures of their collective backsides. What is this world coming to when a bunch of ducks can't eat a meal in peace? Well, the ducks don't care. They're focused on snapping up little bits of plant matter or bugs. Do ducks eat fish? Yes, it seems they do, after a quick Goog'n.
So, really, they're just down there snapping up whatever they can eat – whatever gets close enough. They can even eat small amphibians, like frogs or toads. Is there anything they don't eat?
The Food Goes in the Hole
The thing about most animals is they have maybe three things on their minds at all times – safety, food, and children. After that, there isn't much that goes through their tiny, tiny brains. These pelicans are focused on the second option of the three, and one of them has made it easy to toss something yummy straight inside its mouth.
This could be fish, preferably, but we bet that most pelicans wouldn't mind Oreos or something like that. They're vegan! Seeds and fruits are also fine, but fish is generally the best choice.
This Is Our Neighborhood
In certain parts of the world, you have to be careful about where you go, or you might come across this gang of toughs. No, deer aren't the bravest animals in the world, and most will just flee, but getting on the wrong side of one can still be dangerous. Even while driving, you aren't safe – they refuse to look both ways.
They also have eyes that will reflect absolutely all light right back at you, giving us this picture and the “deer caught in the headlights” idea. We count six deer, and some of them aren't even looking in the camera's direction.
Taking Shelter From the Storm
Trying to figure out what you're looking at? It took us a few moments, too. This is a toad of some sort sheltering inside a bromeliad plant, and the camera has found the perfect angle to snap a pic. It's not a very good picture, all things considered, since we can barely even make out what we're looking at.
In addition, the toad looks like it's about to make an attack on the camera. Imagine if you were trying to sleep and someone came into your bedroom with a camera. You wouldn't like it either. Don't lie.
It's Called Yoga, You Uncultured Swine
The brown bear. Ursus Arctos. They seem to be so silly and cuddly, and this picture does nothing to change that fact. He's practically stretching his legs over his head! That's some impressive flexibility for such a big creature. However, we should take images like this one to reiterate the fact that brown bears are huge and strong and will absolutely make your day worse.
If you see one and you have no kind of transportation or shelter, the best option is to lie down. Cover your head and neck, and hope for the best. Here's the bear rule of thumb: Black, fight back. Brown, lie down.
Heard You Talkin'
Australian magpies have to have sharp eyesight to catch the small seeds and nuts that they love to snack on. That means they also have a way to catch sight of nosy photographers who are trying to get something for “National Geographic.” The thing about birds is, however, they have eyes on the sides of their heads, not in the front.
It would be sort of like if humans had eyes where their ears are, and try getting THAT image out of your brain. They have better vision while looking to the side and less so staring straight ahead. They can still do it, it just doesn't work the same way as us.
Wrapped up for the Day
If you're confused about what you're looking at, it's a bat wrapped inside its wings to catch a snooze while the sun is out. Bats are famously nocturnal, so they sleep during the day and are most active at night when all those yummy bugs are flying around.
We, unfortunately, cannot tell what kind of bat this is, seeing as how there are no distinguishing features. An expert on the creatures might be able to tell, but not us. We're only experts on baking cookies. Well, that and “Dragonball Z.”
I'm Not Ready Yet
You've probably had to face something tough at the beginning of the day before you're fully awake. A trip to the dentist's, a screaming kid, a frustrating work email. We all know how this owl feels. He or she has just come out of slumber, preparing to take to the skies to find bugs or nuts or other smaller birds or Snickers bars or whatever they eat, and now it has to deal with a camera in its face.
This owl even managed to grab a snack before the paparazzi could catch up to it, but that isn't going to stop this bird from chowing down.
Yo, You Got Any Worms?
Fishing isn't the hardest thing in the world, but it's usually harder than this. This fish just seems to be begging for a ride in your cool boat. You don't even have to use a hook or line – just reach down and scoop it up. You might have to dangle a bit of bait over that immense mouth to keep the fish from swimming away, but you should be able to handle that.
We wish we could tell you what kind of fish this is, but we haven't the slightest. Big Mouth bass, perhaps? Certainly seems like it would fall into that category.
Keeping a Low Profile
What an awful picture, you might be thinking, trying to squint and make out the beasts that are out of focus. You're almost right – check out the white lump with a little black section that is in the foreground.
Yes, it turns out the point of this photo isn't the large animals in the background but the bird that is using its natural camouflage to escape notice for everybody but the most sharp-eyed wildlife photographer. All that we can see to let us know there's more than just snow there is a beady little eye and a black beak.
It's a Dirty Job, but Somebody's Gotta do It
Oh, pardon us, we didn't realize we were going to be intruding. A pair of gibbons are...well, we think that one is checking the other for ticks and other little parasites, but, you know what, we aren't really all that sure. They could be doing any number of things, and maybe it's just best to let them be.
In reality, grooming each other is a big part of daily life for many monkeys, including gibbons. It improves social bonds, increases hygiene, and gives the monkeys a quick snack, all thanks to one single act.
Hey! He's Not a Turtle!
It looks like that egret is in the wrong neighborhood. We think he might be okay, though, since turtles aren't really known for their aggressive nature. Well, most turtles, anyway. There are some that will gladly take a chunk out if you get too close. However, egrets can fly (being birds), so we don't think this one is in much danger.
The turtles all seem a little more preoccupied with sunning themselves or getting something to eat. A lot of them are giving the bird a critical eye, but here we are doing the same thing, so we don't care.
Just Trying to Climb Here, Buddy
If you know where to look, you can find some really fun animals all over the place. Like on your window or glass door. This little lizard just looks like he's on his way to something important (selling car insurance or something like that), and the person who came up with a camera is just getting in his way.
Don't worry bud, we just like your style on this sunny day. Nice color, good spread to the hands and feet, nice long tail. If only all lizards could be just like you, little man, then the world would be a better place.
No, I Don't Have a Red Nose!
Hey, they're just like humans. If they see some random person taking a picture of them, their first response is to stick out a tongue. We feel a certain kinship with this reindeer. Get out of our hair and let us live in peace.
Here's an interesting fact you might not have known: Male and female reindeer grow their horns at different times. Male reindeer grow theirs during the summer, while females grow theirs during the winter. We don't know why, but this means that canonically all of Santa's reindeer are gals. Yes, even the most famous reindeer of all.
The Mythical Flying Hedgehog
How did the photographer capture an image of what appears to be a hedgehog against a bright blue sky? Did it collect all of the chaos emeralds? We couldn't tell you, but odds are it standing on a piece of clear glass or something like that. Perhaps there is a mirror involved. Why we need to have a picture of a hedgehog's undercarriage is unknown, but now we have one.
So...go ahead and use it for all your strange and uncomfortable art projects. It's practically tailor-made for Sonic the Hedgehog art, but not the normal kind.
He's So Excited to Meet You!
Moths are a bit of a mystery to a lot of people. Sure, they might like to chow down on your curtains, but why? What could they possibly get from your drapery? Maybe they're just students of fine decoration. Heh, heh, they have good taste! Ah, we're sorry. Anyway, here's a big close-up of a Moth that looks like it's jazzed to see you after so long away.
These little creatures might be bugs, but they still have a kind look to them. They almost look like they would be soft to the touch. Though we doubt they would like to stay under a finger for long.
Hey! Hey! Everybody Chill Out!
This anteater has come upon a big argument, but we don't get to see what exactly has happened to force the animal into this sort of posture. Are there two other anteaters holding guns, with a big suitcase of solid-gold ants between all three of them? Or, perhaps, this anteater is practicing his moves for his lifelong goal of being a traffic cop.
You can't just eat ants all your life and call it good! You have to have aspirations – dreams. Ants are nice, but what about doing something good for other people? Even an anteater wants to help out sometimes.
Catching Some Sun
There are few animals that don't enjoy getting a dose of sunshine after a long, hard day of working in an office or eating bugs out of the sky. We don't think those two circles overlap, but you never know.
This young red-tailed hawk is sleeping off a long night of flying around and making that call you hear in every show that is set in the wilderness with a quick nap on a stone wall He's giving the photographer a sharp look. You don't get to see birds in such a state of relaxation that often, so it's fun to see a different side to them.
Just Barely There
You might need an eagle's eyes to pick out the piece of wildlife in this picture. The black speck at the upper third is a bird that looks a little lost and a little too lonely. We're not sure exactly where this picture was taken, but it has a wild, uninhibited quality to it.
The seething sees the wild blue yonder. It could be over the mountains, taken from an aircraft for all we know. Humanity seems all but removed from this image – we get nothing but the untamed sky and a bird that has made it his own.
Hey Buddy, You Got a Light?
It seems that even the animal kingdom has its vices. Trust us, kid, you don't want to find out what happens to your lungs if you get addicted to those things. We, humans, call them lung darts, and your lungs are a lot smaller. Sure, they might give you a pleasant buzz at first, but you're going to be hacking and coughing before too long.
Plus, then you have to go into shops and talk to the owner and show your I.D. And you don't have an I.D., do you? No – you are a bird.
Ready for the Red Carpet
Penguins are usually dressed in snappy tuxedos for their day-to-day lives. Some of them, however, like to take it to the next step whenever a photographer stops by. This kind of flightless bird is called a rockhopper penguin, and we hopefully don't have to tell you why (it's because they hop around on rocks).
They have a big collection of long yellow and black feathers that give them a distinctive look that is fierce and fabulous. Hilariously, all of the related images are of palm trees and bushes and things like that. Maybe it's time for this penguin to make a trip to the barbershop.
Bad Guys, Beware the Red Squirrel!
Talk about jumping into action! Squirrels don't deign to walk like us humans – they bounce and jump from place to place with the energy of a toddler that has had too much candy. This vibrant example of a Eurasian red squirrel shows us just how big their leaps can get – there's neither tree nor land in focus, so we bet this high-flying creature is making a big leap.
The tail is often used as a kind of rudder – it keeps the squirrels from taking a bad fall. It might not be a hero, but it's still about to make a perfect three-point landing.
These Feet Were Made for Walking
Lots of creatures walk about the Earth, getting from place to place. Even by a loose definition, most creatures have a way to stride on the ground. Pretty much everything except sea creatures has a way to walk, but few are as fancy as the chameleon.
They groove back and forth, carefully measuring each step to give themselves the best place to stand. A pair of independent eyes lets them see everything around them, and a long tail aids their balance. They will also freeze – as this one likely did – with a foot up in the air when something comes near.
Do I Have Something in My Teeth?
We might not know everything about chipmunks (could anybody possibly know everything about chipmunks?), but we do know that they like to stuff their cheeks with food. When people think about chipmunks, it's the first thing that comes to mind. They sure can fit a lot in there, and that's mostly because they don't have the kind of hands to carry food while moving around.
We do the same sort of thing – popping a pen between our teeth while carrying other things, typing, or using the phone. At least we can get around without having to go down to all fours!
Tons of Animals Get Camera Shy
Not everybody wants a camera shoved in their face. If you're hanging out on the beach and someone takes your picture, you might be a little upset, too. That exact thought might not be going through this seal's head, but there are plenty of other reasons why an animal might be covering its eyes. Maybe it's really sunny out. That can be the case on a lot of beaches.
This little guy or gal is a darling, so we understand wanting to get a picture, but it seems the photographer will have to do a little bit of begging to get a smile from this creature.
So, You Do Any Fishing?
While it might look like the monkey on the left is bracing for an important medical inspection, since he's hit that age when guys have to start thinking about a certain part of their body more often, it's not that. It's just grooming. Grooming is an important part of monkey social life for a number of reasons.
They also don't have the issues humans do with their private parts, so showing off your rear end in this way doesn't have all the same connotations. No, these two monkeys are just making sure that those tasty bugs don't get to settle down in that dude's fur.
Let No Drop of Honey go to Waste
In case you're wondering what kind of bear this long-tongued creature is, we're looking at a Malayan sun bear, one of the goofiest of the family. Seriously, go look at some pictures, they are some odd animals. Half of them look like they're humans in really good bear costumes, the rest of them know they're bears and can't stand it.
They also have really, really long tongues. Bears generally have longer tongues, but sun bears are a step above the rest of them. They primarily use them to slurp up some delicious termites – the longer the tongue, the less work they have to do to get a full meal.
The Talking Is Done Now
While this picture looks like the chameleon has had just about enough of the frog (or toad, we don't know) running its mouth, it's likely something else. Chameleons make careful, measured steps to get where they're going, and what happened was this chameleon was just making its way to the other end of the branch where they both sat, and the chameleon didn't even notice the frog or toad was sitting there.
Still, if this image becomes the internet's next favorite meme, we wouldn't be surprised. And who knows? Maybe the frog was croaking really loudly, and the chameleon was just trying to catch some shuteye.
I Said No Soliciting!
Maybe there's a person like this owl in your neighborhood who doesn't want anybody ever coming to the front door. We doubt that the person will look as cute and cuddly as this little northern hawk owl, but there's always a chance. Some people just don't like others coming to their front door to try and sell them stuff, even if it is Girl Scout cookies.
This owl is just checking out the person who has come up to look in its home, and we don't know if it's just a small example of the species or if the hole goes deep into the tree.
Well, Where Else Do You Expect a Rabbit to Go?
There are lots of pictures of rabbits standing in the grass, chewing a big mouthful. Or, maybe, they're fleeing in terror from the big scary people with the cameras that seem to be chasing them all over. They have to have a place to hide from the mean photographers, don't they? Enter the rabbit hole.
That, as you might be able to guess, is where rabbits go to get away from the world. They have their families down there, and there may be more than one entrance so that the rabbits don't get trapped inside.
If I Can't See Him, He Can't See Me
Animals have a vested interest in staying hidden, most of the time. There are lots of predators out there, trying to take their picture, and let's not even talk about the animals that might want to eat them. This male roe deer, with little more than ears and growing antlers showing, thinks it's being mighty sneaky by hunkering down inside a cereal field.
He's unaware that there are some people out there with cameras that could never miss those tiny little antlers among the grass. The fact that his ears are standing up at attention also makes it hard to miss.
She Did What?!
The emotions of animals are a little hard for us humans to understand, but we feel pretty confident about what this prairie dog is feeling. He's just been told that he's getting a pink slip at the end of the month, and he's going to have to go home to his wife and kids to tell them the bad news.
Maybe he's hearing some juicy gossip about Shelly, that prairie dog that moved into the neighborhood a few weeks ago. Maybe he's just sitting there, thinking deep thoughts, and he's surprised at his own ability to puzzle through problems.
Enjoying the Heat
There are few members of the animal kingdom that don't enjoy a nice, relaxing dip in the hot springs every once in a while. From humans all the way down to rodents, they're universally enjoyed. These snow monkeys have found a nice place to hang on and keep warm in Japan. They look so cozy.
We wouldn't mind joining them if we thought they would be cool with it. How many other people have hung out in hot springs with monkeys? We bet that there are a bunch of people in Japan who have checked that particular item off their bucket list.
Making Van Damme Proud
Birds are very much at home in the trees, but usually, they find a place to stand that is more comfortable than this one. Why a little swamp sparrow would choose to straddle between two big tree trunks or limbs is beyond us, but it must have some kind of reasoning.
Maybe it just saw some of the classics made by the Muscles from Brussels, like “Bloodsport” or “Double Impact,” and it wanted to do its best Jean-Claude Van Damme impression. Not bad, not bad at all. Certainly a lot better than we could do, especially in such a tight spot.
Not an Alien Creature
If we didn't know better, we would have thought that a photographer had made it to a new planet and beamed back some shots of the indigenous wildlife! That, or the UFOs finally landed, and our new overlords revealed themselves. In reality, you've almost certainly heard of this creature – it's just a moose!
Its long snout is obscured by the fact that the camera is pointed straight at it, and its odd teeth are just because it's enjoying some leaves. The antlers don't look the way that we usually picture them, but it's not like we're experts. They actually look a lot softer than we've been led to believe.
Showing off the Best Parts
Wouldn't it be a little nice to be a squirrel? Think about it. You can leap from one tree to the next, enjoy all the nuts and seeds you want, and have a big, fluffy tail to enjoy as you're running around in the great outdoors. There might be some downsides, but you can ignore those kinds of things, right? You still have the tail, and that's all that matters.
This squirrel knows that the photographer doesn't need to look at its face – the tail is the real money maker. Look at those wonderful shades. Red, black, white, gray – a wonder of nature.
Always on Alert
An African buffalo stares down the photographer while the bird on its head (most likely a cattle egret but don't quote us on that) scans for interesting sights on the horizon. This is a classic example of a symbiotic relationship occurring in nature – the bird rides on the buffalo from place to place, picking bugs off the hide. The bird gets a snack, while the buffalo stays safe from parasites like tics. Yes, even buffalo have to worry about tics.
Not everything is perfect about this setup, as we can see from the dribble of waste snaking down the buffalo's face, but you have to take the good with the bad.
Get Out, This Is My Private Time
Everybody needs to have a chance to kick back without anything getting into their face. All sorts of primates, from humans down to these monkeys, will get a little upset if something pops up to disturb them, and a camera might be one of the worst options. Certainly not THE worst, but it's up there.
We do believe that this monkey is flipping the bird at the camera, but it certainly doesn't know the full connotations of the gesture. We hope. We know that some members of the primate family can learn sign language...is this not just sign language?
Where the Wild Has Reclaimed
Sure, this just seems to be a picture of an elk, but let's zoom out a little bit. This picture is taken in the thirty-kilometer exclusion zone that surrounds the famous Chornobyl nuclear reactor. The huge area was evacuated in 1986 after a catastrophic meltdown thanks to shoddy construction and management. Homes and businesses were covered in the wilderness, including animals like this proud elk.
The area around the plant is now fully wilderness, with plenty of radiation still hanging around, making it an unsafe place for humans. These animals don't care about that sort of thing, of course, so they took up residence.
He's Just Thinking About That One Time
No doubt something like this has happened to you. You're sitting there, working, and then you remember that funny joke your younger brother told you about Hercules needing to change his diaper. You start laughing, no matter where you are, and it's a little hard to stop. It can happen anywhere, to anybody – even a monkey inside a zoo enclosure.
We don't know if monkeys can actually tell jokes, but this certainly looks like a step in the right direction. Or in the wrong direction if you were terrified of the new “Planet of the Apes” movies.
That's My Section of Fence, and You Know It!
There are some zoos or animal sanctuaries that have different creatures inside, though they're usually for a good reason. This emu and wallaby are hanging out together because they're both examples of wildlife from the Australian outback. This wildlife park looks like it's a little wilder than life, but the emu isn't actually kicking the wallaby, it's just walking around behind it.
Don't be fooled, though – emus can and absolutely will deliver absolutely gruesome kicks with their ultra-powerful feet. Thankfully, we don't have to watch any of that kind of brutality. All we see here are some furry and feathered friends.
Whatchu Lookin' At, Bub?
Long necks aren't just handy for getting the tallest leaves off of trees. Apparently, you can also bend your head into view of a camera and give it a glare. This is handy, mostly because it's hard to get all the important parts of a giraffe into a single picture unless the cameraman is standing about a hundred feet back.
They're, like, super tall. We weren't aware that giraffes could also pull some of the goofiest and strangest faces of the animal kingdom. Just look at those lips, it looks like they're making a Q or something like that.
The Kings of the Camera Jungle
There are plenty of pics in this list that have animals looking pretty goofy. Lots of butts sticking up in the air, plenty of strange faces, and lots of creatures rolling in the mud – or something similar. This one is a little different.
This emperor tamarin looks poised to make a leap at the next branch, or a bunch of good-looking berries, or maybe on his way to surprise his sweetie. He – or she, it's not like we can tell – has a very catlike face and is clearly focused on something.
A Little Morning Swim
Nothing like a sea lion to brighten your day. These creatures seem to be quite friendly, and they make for great showmen at aquariums and zoos. This one is going for a swim, zipping through the water in the sleek way that so many sea lions have, and it doesn't seem to mind that much that someone has captured a pic.
That little knob near its eye is actually its ear. Unlike true seals, sea lions have small flaps for their outer ears. They also have some legendary whiskers, as we can see in this picture.
More Lettuce! MORE!
If you're a tortoise, you do everything with the chill nature of a creature that has an immense shell on its back. Slowly, carefully, and heavily. The one exception seems to be eating some yummy lettuce. This tortoise is chowing down in a big way, gnashing with everything it can on that sweet, sweet, life-giving leaf. Okay, it might not actually be lettuce, but it sure looks like it.
No matter what it is, this tortoise is absolutely loving it. You don't get to see one of these creatures doing much more than just sitting around, so this is kind of fun.
Oh Deer!
There's nothing worse than being caught on camera when you're in the middle of eating something. It's a model's worst nightmare. You just don't have time to find that perfect pose for the shot. Instead of enjoying your meal, you're rudely interrupted and have to worry about where that unfortunate photo might be shared.
While this fallow deer buck probably doesn't care about any of that, it does make for a slightly humorous image. We're not entirely sure what he is even eating. Is it a leaf? Is it a piece of tree bark? We guess it doesn't really matter.
It's a Marmotographer!
Sometimes, it's not about whether or not the animal in question gets caught on camera. It can be about the animal literally being caught on a camera. In this case, that's exactly what happened. A cute little Alpine marmot was curious and audacious enough to get up close and personal to someone's Canon camera, and even tried to use it!
It made for an absolutely unforgettable image. It begs the question though - was the marmot able to take photos? Did he press the button by accident? If so, what images did he end up capturing? So many unanswerable questions!
Ah, That's the Spot
Many members of the animal kingdom have symbiotic relationships to varying levels. While we're not entirely sure what this crow gets from the panda, it is clear that the Asian bear is very much loving this arrangement. As the bird plucked fur from the panda's backside, we started to get an idea of why it was doing this.
No, it wasn't looking for food. It was actually taking the fur to build a nest for its babies. We imagine though that the panda is getting a lot of pleasure and relief from this form of therapy. The photo was taken back in 2018 in a zoo in Beijing, China, and it's one that we will never forget.
Who's the Cheekiest of Them All?
Monkeys are undoubtedly some of the nosiest creatures on the planet. We wonder who they got it from...Anyway, this photo shows a Sulawesi black monkey, who hails from the jungles in Northern Indonesia. As you can see, the monkey has discovered a motorcycle.
And more specifically, he noticed his reflection in the mirror of the bike. But does he understand that it's him? Or does he think there is an identical monkey on the other side? It is confirmed that he did stick his hands behind the mirror to try and block it out. He then proceeded to bite the mirror because it wouldn't disappear.
Like Mother Like Daughter
It's the same in all species. Where do we get all of our quirks from, for better or for worse? That's right, folks. Our folks. Our parents. The people who bring us into the world are ultimately the ones we imitate the most until we eventually find our own individuality.
But outside of humans, the rest of the animal kingdom, for the most part, continue to mimic their parents for the rest of their lives. Take this Gentoo Penguin for example, who is making some kind of call. And their adorable chick is also trying to make the same noise. It looks though like the chick is trying to prove how strong it is with that pose!
Trick, Treat, or Nut?
Let's face it, pumpkins are synonymous with Halloween. Many families love hanging a jack-o-lantern out for the neighbors to see. And this is always carved out of a pumpkin. But what many people don't appreciate is that some of the most common pests can fit inside the average pumpkin.
That's what happened in this photo when a squirrel was caught head-first inside one of these iconic squashes. But is he trying to eat some pumpkin from the inside? Or did he find a nut that he's trying to retrieve for himself? Whatever the case may be, this photo is absolute gold.
A Pelican Dentist?
Before you jump to any conclusions - no, this pelican isn't giving the other some kind of ornithological dental inspection. It turns out that this Australian pelican is feeding a fledgling. These beautiful birds are located in a designated area laid out by the East Asian-Australiasian Flyway.
It is here where many species of water birds are protected under the law. And as you can see, birds feel free and safe enough here to take care of each other. What's more, is that they are not afraid to look silly in front of a camera. Now that we know what's actually going on here, we can move on.
You're Grounded!
While it is unclear what the context behind this photo actually is, the person who took it seems to have their own theory. They believe that the penguin on the right is the mother of the penguin on the left and that they are yelling at it after demonstrating poor behavior.
To be honest, we don't really buy that in the slightest. Have you ever seen a penguin misbehave? They are the most adorable, beautiful creatures on the planet! All they want to do is enjoy themselves in relatively cold climates. Maybe the chick was misbehaving by penguin standards. Who knows?
What Time Is It?
We are aware that many members of the animal kingdom need to sleep for long periods of time - a lot longer, in fact, than humans. While we don't know exactly how long Grey seals sleep for, it seems like this pup may have been woken up by the photographer and is not happy about it in the slightest.
It looks like they woke up on the wrong side of the field and need at least a few more hours worth of sleep before they're ready to start their day. Word of advice - never prematurely wake up a seal, they are not the happiest animals when this happens.
Tiny Dancer
To be honest, we are not entirely sure if Verreaux's Sifaka (yes, that's their name) is getting in the mood for dancing or if they are getting into a pose to start a fight with someone. Maybe they combine the two, like an animalistic version of capoeira.
This beautiful creature hails from the Indian Ocean island nation of Madagascar and is very mobile and always up for some mischief. But if you rub them up the wrong way, they will want to start some kind of confrontation, as you can see here. There's also a chance they could be running away from a much bigger predator - so there's that.
Say Cheese
It is no secret that equine creatures have pretty big gums. It doesn't matter if it's a horse or a zebra, they are known to reveal their huge dentures along with their sparkly, pink gums. And as you can see, here is one classic example. A Plains Zebra can be seen making a facial pose as if they are smiling.
Apparently, though, this kind of pose is normally associated with mating behavior. So it seems like someone is ready to procreate. Maybe it's time for the cameraman in this part of the Kruger National Park to look the other way and let these zebras do the natural thing.
Morning Stretches
You know, animals and birds need to do their fair share of exercise too, you know. This pelican was caught in a pretty abnormal position, appearing to stretch its neck and long beak. If we couldn't see its eye, we would have no idea where its head started and ended.
It just goes to show how different birds are built in comparison to mammals. With their wings, feathers, beaks, and ability to lay eggs, they are so unique and majestic to look at. Normally, this would be a standard position for a pelican chick waiting to be fed by its mother. But this doesn't look like a chick.
Battle to the Last Feather
Sibling rivalry is a phenomenon that is prevalent across the animal kingdom. Whether you're a human, a lion, a monkey, a rhino, a dog, or a fish, you're ultimately competing with your brothers and sisters for the approval of your parents, for the most food, and ultimately, survival.
This is also the case in the aviary community. As you can see, these two sparrows don't let their familial connection get in the way of a fight. While balancing on a branch, they peck at each other, for what we reason, we don't know. Maybe one chirped something offensive to the other.
Cookoo!
Have you ever looked for something and bent down so low that you ended up looking through your legs? Most of us have been there. And surely enough, animals also perform this stunt from time to time. After all, none of us have eyes at the back of our heads.
And in the wild, you need to find ingenious ways to look behind you. Turning your head might not be enough. You may have to do what this songbird ended up doing while balancing sideways on a branch. He sure does look surprised though. As in, he didn't realize he was having his photo taken until it was too late.
Mom! Charlie Bit Me!
Have you ever seen the video that went viral on YouTube many years ago? You know, that one where a baby bit his brother's finger, triggering the adorable response, "Ow! Mom, Charlie bit my finger!" Well, we may have just found the vulpine remake of this classic clip.
Here, we can see two beautiful fox cubs walking in the woods. Then, all of a sudden, one of the siblings decided to clamp onto the other's front leg with their fangs. Clearly, the recipient of the bite is not impressed in the slightest and is even shocked by the audacity of the move.
Elephant Playing Some Elefunk With His Trunk!
It is common knowledge that elephants have the longest proboscis in the world. In other words, they have really big noses! But can we even count trunks as noses? Well, they perform basically all the same tasks that a nose would.
But what makes elephant trunks so special is that they can make loud, rambunctious noises as if they were some kind of trumpet. Imagine getting up close and personal with the end of this bad boy, you'd probably lose your hearing for at least a few weeks. Besides this, we can't help but feel a warm tingly feeling by looking at these beautiful, gentle giants.
Someone's Gotta Carry the Baby
It doesn't matter where you are in the animal kingdom. If you are a mother, and you have a baby, you are probably going to carry it with you to shelter or safety. While humans usually do this with their hands (or carriers of some kind), mammals and birds are more likely to pick up their babies with their mouths, as this provides them with the most grip.
In this picture, we have found an animal that uses both their mouth and their "hands." This chipmunk is a proud mother and will do whatever it takes to get her baby to a new nest.
I Just Need a Five-Minute Break
Whenever you go on a long hike, it is important to take regular breaks to catch your breath and have some refreshments. This also applies to animals who aren't necessarily human. All creatures that naturally live in the wild will spend many hours searching for food and on their travels.
Take this badger, for example. They got to a point in their journey where they realized that they just weren't clean enough to carry on. So they immediately sat down and started grooming away. It's just a shame about the position they were in when the photo was taken. That is one responsible (and funny-looking) badger.
That's One Way to Nap
Owls are truly majestic creatures - there are no two ways about it. They are certainly one of the most unique-looking members of the bird community - and are often highly symbolic in many cultures around the world. What's more, is that they, like any other creature, need their beauty sleep.
And you'll be surprised by the lengths they will go to in order to get a well-earned nap. This owl was happy to perch itself onto a branch, and then use its own body as a pillow to rest its head - upside down! When you consider how much an owl can rotate its head, this isn't the most surprising image in the world.