Giggling seal and raccoon attempting a break-in among contenders to be funniest wildlife photo of the year

A monkey channelling Saturday Night Fever with some serious dance moves and a mischievous racoon attempting to break in through a window are just some of the hilarious snaps in the running to be crowned the funniest wildlife photo of the year.

For this year’s Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards, there are 42 images that have made it to the shortlist and have been impeccably timed to capture some humorous stills.

This includes a photo of a racoon’s desperate attempt to enter someone’s house, called How Do You Get That Damn Window Open? (which we think perfectly sums up the racoon’s frustration), which was taken in France by Nicolas de Vaulx.

How Do You Get That Damn Window Open? by Nicolas de Vaulx

Another picture, “Mr. Giggles” by Martina Novotna Ravenscar shows a grey seal pup having a cheeky giggle to itself with its paw covering its mouth as it lies reclined on the rocks.

Meanwhile, “Monday Morning Mood” by Andrew Mayes perfectly captures how we all feel about the start of the week with a Pied starling wearing a frown and looking particularly grumpy.

Other photos include a baboon yawning, two kangaroos fighting and a smiling snake.

Someone’s heard a cracking joke - “Laughing Snake” by Aditya Kshirsagar. India is one of the entries which has captured a Vine snake

Paul Joynson-Hicks, co-founder of the awards, said: “We were overwhelmed with the number and quality of entries we received this year, with well over 7,000 photos submitted from every corner of the globe.

“The huge number of images we receive every year illustrates the appetite there is to engage with conservation and reminds us that wildlife truly is incredible and hilarious and we must do all we can to protect it.”

To choose a winner for the People’s Choice Award, voting is now open for the public to choose the funniest animal shot.

The public can vote on the Comedy Wildlife website with category and overall winners announced on October 22.

The lucky photographer who receives the most votes for the best image will win a one-week safari with Alex Walker’s Serian in the Masai MaraKenya and a handmade trophy from the Art Garage in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.