With its huge eyes, comical name and diminutive size, Mark R. Smith’s image of a baby Hawaiian bobtail squid can’t help but raise a smile. A curiously endearing creature, the cephalopod is just 1.5cm across, its mantle cavity bearing more than a passing resemblance to a rather natty shower cap. But it is also a beautiful example of symbiosis – nature’s version of “I’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine” – for on the underside of the squid is a light organ which houses bioluminescent bacteria. The squid offers the bacteria protection and food, while the bacteria emit a glow – a handy trait that the squid uses to offset its silhouette, helping it to evade predators in the depths below. Mark R. Smith’s entry combines several images of a Hawaiian bobtail squid with different focus lengths to create a final picture with greater depth of field than normal. (Photo by Mark R. Smith/Wellcome Images/Macroscopic Solutions)

A general view of atmosphere at the annual VOLT Festival in Sopron, 208 kms west of Budapest, Hungary on August 16, 2016. (Photo by Rockstar Photographers)

A moon bear rests in a pool inside an enclosure at the Vietnam bear rescue centre, in Tam Dao national park, Vinh Phuc, Vietnam, 09 July 2019. The center is operated by international organization Animals Asia. There are currently 184 bears living at the the Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre. It is estimated that there are less than a few hundred bears left in the wild in Vietnam. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development, around 600 bears are still being kept on farms. In Vietnam, Animals Asia has rescued a total of 209 sun bears and moon bears. (Photo by Minh Hoang/EPA/EFE/Rex Features/Shutterstock)

Indian Army Jawan (soldiers) of the “ASC Tornadoes” daredevil bike team perform during Independence Day celebrations in Bangalore, India, 15 August 2024. India celebrated its 78th Independence Day on 15 August. (Photo by Jagadeesh N.V./EPA)

“Atzeries”, a fire beast sets off his fire crackers during a “Correfocs” in Barcelona's Gracia neighborhood, Spain on May 27, 2023. (Photo by Matthias Oesterle/Alamy Live News)

Broomfield Samson, a rare breed Suffolk punch, and his rider, Alison Carroll, cool off in the River Lune at Loyne Bridge near Gressingham in Lancashire, UK on May 21, 2024. (Photo by James Glossop/ The Times & Sunday Times)

Students carry a female trainee who has fallen into a stupor during high intensity training at Tianjiao Special Guard/Security Consultant camp on the outskirts of Beijing December 1, 2013. Former Chinese soldier Chen Yongqing has big ambitions for his bodyguard training school Tianjiao, which he says is China's first professional academy to train former soldiers and others as personal security guards. Chen charges 500,000 yuan ($82,400) a year for each protector as China's rich and famous look to bolster their safety and sense of importance. (Photo by Jason Lee/Reuters)

Richard Rude Junior of the United States, competes on his way to win the UCI MTB Enduro Men Elite, Mountain Bike World Championship, Monday, September 1, 2025, in Fiesch, Switzerland. (Photo by Maxime Schmid/Keystone via AP Photo)