Hilarious winning images from the Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards 2018

Everyone likes to see an animal doing silly things. This week the winners of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards were announced, and they don't disappoint.

From a startled owl to a smiling shark and tangoing bears, there are some adorable and hilarious winning images.

There were eight categories this year: the Video Category, Under The Sea, Amazing Internet Portfolio, Junior Category, Spectrum Photo Creatures of the Air, Alex Walker’s Serian Creatures of the Land, Affinity People’s Choice Award and the overall winner.

Thousands of photographers from around the world entered the competition. The entries were then whittled down to 41 finalists, before the winning images were selected and collated for the official book.

Mary McGowan cleaned up, winning three awards in total – the Affinity People’s Choice Award, the Alex Walker’s Serian Creatures of the Land Award and overall winner – with her photograph below titled 'Caught in the act', starring a shocked squirrel.

Along with a selection of prizes, ​McGowan ​was crowned Comedy Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2018.

Click through the gallery above to see more winning and highly commended shots.