Furtastic Series Banner

15 of the best animal photos from 2020

This iguana snap took first place in Agora's photo competition.
By Tim Marcin  on 
15 of the best animal photos from 2020
The winning photo an animal photography competition. Credit: @jjnmatt / Agora

It's stunning to see wild animals up close — especially when they're caught in the beauty of their natural surroundings.

Agora, a photo app, challenged its users to submit their best animal pics of 2020, to be voted on by their users. The most popular snap would earn its photographer $1,000. With some serious scratch on the line, Agora said it received 13,888 submissions displaying the "precious variety of animal life surrounding us."

"Photography is a powerful medium to generate empathy and a deeper understanding of the world surrounding us," said Octavi Royo, Agora CEO, in a press release. "Only one species living on Earth can choose what the future will look like, and that species is us!"

The big winner ended up being an image of an iguana taken by the user @jjnmatt. Below you'll find that image, plus the other finalists, and a few of our favorites to enjoy.

Mashable Image
The winning image. Credit: @jjnmatt / agora

The second, third, fourth, and fifth place finishers — as seen below — were also pretty amazing.

Mashable Image
This top-five photo capture a family of elephants. Credit: @mannylibrodo / Agora
Mashable Image
Titled "Honor Fight," this image couldn't have been better timed. Credit: @jordisark / agora
Mashable Image
This photo of a reindeer is so gorgeous it hardly looks real. Credit: @dangthao / Agora
Mashable Image
Stunning image a cattle trotting through a field of heather in bloom. Credit: @glennanthonie / Agora

That rounds out the top five slots in the Agora contest, but we couldn't help including a few of our other favorites from the Top 50. Here are 10 more pictures of animals we really loved.

Mashable Image
Look at this chimp, posing like it knows what's up. Credit: @mohamedtazi / Agora
Mashable Image
OK, this photo is beautiful but I also feel like the photographer shouldn't have stuck around to take it. Credit: @pitokung / Agora
Mashable Image
This is just cool. Credit: @alan_gallo / Agora
Mashable Image
Unbearably cute. Credit: @olmospatricia / Agora
Mashable Image
A big ol' orangutan. Credit: @adingkuswara / Agora
Mashable Image
This photo was titled "Shadow Game" for obvious reasons. Credit: @borsch / agora
Mashable Image
This Icelandic horse is fashionable as hell. Credit: @samuelemiccoli / Agora
Mashable Image
An adorable rhesus macaque wants a snack. Credit: @beyond_imagina / Agora
Mashable Image
Sea turtles are so dope. Credit: @makyandmatt / Agora
Mashable Image
This picture was titled "Friends." Get it? Credit: @superiaia / Agora

Topics Animals

Mashable Image
Tim Marcin

Tim Marcin is a culture reporter at Mashable, where he writes about food, fitness, weird stuff on the internet, and, well, just about anything else. You can find him posting endlessly about Buffalo wings on Twitter at @timmarcin.


More from Furtastic
If you've never seen an elephant baby ultrasound before, here's your chance
If you've never seen an elephant baby ultrasound before, here's your chance

15 Black Friday deals for dog and cat owners
By StackCommerce
15 Black Friday deals for dog and cat owners

No, automatic litter boxes aren't extra. Yes, you should buy one on Black Friday.
No, automatic litter boxes aren't extra. Yes, you should buy one on Black Friday.

Gaze upon these good dogs at the 2020 National Dog Show
Gaze upon these good dogs at the 2020 National Dog Show

9 DNA kits (for humans and pets) on sale for Black Friday
By StackCommerce
9 DNA kits (for humans and pets) on sale for Black Friday

Recommended For You
Ayo Edebiri's Instagram Story with Paul Mescal stokes rom-com rumors
Andrew Scott, Ayo Edebiri, and Paul Mescal posing for a photo at the BAFTAs.

'Mama, kudos for saying that' is the internet's new favorite reaction
RuPaul and drag queens posing at the Emmy's.

Why the internet stans Ireland
Barry Keoghan, Saoirse Ronan, Cillian Murphy, Colin Farrell, and Ayo Edebiri.

Black Mirror season 7 is coming — 5 things the internet is saying about its return
Black Mirror splash screen on Netflix


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 19
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

NASA scientist viewed first Voyager images. What he saw gave him chills.
Both Voyager spacecraft have entered interstellar space, billions of miles beyond Earth.

Wordle today: Here's the answer and hints for March 19
a phone displaying Wordle

NYT Connections today: See hints and answers for March 18
A phone displaying the New York Times game 'Connections.'

Webb telescope makes curious find in deep space: alcohol
An artist's conception of the James Webb Space Telescope orbiting in space, 1 million miles from Earth.
The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
This newsletter may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. Subscribing to a newsletter indicates your consent to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe from the newsletters at any time.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!