All the other pets

This image is absolutely alien, it reminds me of "Dune." I think the staging here is excellent, a leaf reminiscent of her body, and the perfect warm background with no distractions. She is captured perfectly, her beautiful almond eye the focal point of this piece. This is a truly excellent portrait and I think it is both technically and atmospherically perfect.

The eye contact in this photograph is so intense, and also a bit more challenging than most species since a chameleon's eyes can go every which way. I think that adds another facet of intrigue to the shot because it is an angle of this animal that we rarely get to see. The image clarity is excellent, perfectly shot, and I love the blurred body of the lizard melting into the background. This is an excellent photograph, full of drama and I really appreciate how it captures a view of an animal most people will never see.

This gorgeous portrait is so much fun, I love the complimentary curves of both the stick and the insect. You did an excellent job with the lighting here and the composition as well. I especially love how the subject is upside down, it is an unusual and fun choice that makes this piece stand out as unique to me. And what a cool species to photograph as well!

I am especially drawn to this image with all its action, so much chaotic energy from the water contrasting against the background- as well as the stoic model. The portrait is well shot, clear and crisp, and dynamic. This is a very effective work and I really enjoyed it as a submission to this competition!

A really, really beautiful portrait of a chameleon. These guys are such fun subjects. The razor sharp crisp focus on the eye draws the viewer in, and what a face! Very dinosaur like. I like the pose as well, the positioning of the foot gripping the textured wood and the contrast against a dark background. A gorgeous portrait and so captivating, excellent work!

I absolutely love this photograph. I think it is one of the strongest in the contest, however I think the focus on the eye being slightly off is a bit distracting to me. Regardless, I love how the mouse is off to the side, tucked into the perfect "heart" amongst the pages, nose poking out into the light. Such a fun, lovable concept and you did a wonderful job bringing it to fruition. An especially adorable little mouse too!

This image was one of my favorites from the contest. The texture, rich colors, and emphasis on those crossed fangs are just fantastic. The technical aspect of this photograph is great too, wonderful lighting, sharp focus, and excellent composition. The only reason I did not place it in the Top 10 is it is an exoskeleton and not the animal itself. Great work, still!

This is such a lovely shot. For a close up of a balled up hedgehog, much of the animal is obscured. I generally prefer portraiture that includes an animal's eyes but I love how this shot makes the viewer appreciate other details of this fascinating animal such as the dirty little claws folded up nearly, the flared nose, and the tangle of colorful spines. It is quite a dynamic creature up close. This is a great example of an effective portrait and I love this shot!

This is such a compelling image. I absolutely love the juxtaposition of the two subjects, crossed and posed as if they are going into battle. They are such fascinating, alien creatures. The technical aspects of this image are well done for the most part, although personally I think it is a bit bright and would look better with more contrast. Nevertheless this is a really excellent shot.

What I love most about this photo is the capture of the perfect camouflage, the frog almost seems to continue on into either direction, blending in with his mossy setting. On top of that, you've captured dynamic eye contact, and emphasized the charismatic texture of the creature with well-placed lighting. This is a very effective portrait, and it sure is intriguing! Great work!

The whiskers and dark eyes of this adorable rat are the star of the show for me, as well as his backlit ears. You did a great job with a razor thin depth of field capturing the most important details of the scene, not always easy. I also like in the context of this contest how the rat is being held lovingly- they are such gentle, underrated pets and it is nice to see a photo that showcases this. It is a lovely photo.

This shot is very cool, I love the contrast of the two figures against the dark abyss of the doorway. The rough textures of the stone, the colors, the dynamic presence of the parrot. I really wish there was more context to the shot, I would love to know their story. Nevertheless, you captured this scene beautifully and it is a photo that has a truly striking impression on the viewer.

A gorgeous subject captured in dynamic action. I think this image captures so many facets of the appeal of chameleons: those alien feet, the curved tail, the riot of coloration across the body. I appreciate that you have chosen a clean perch with a nice, non-distracting background as well. The lighting too caught him along the edges of his body which gives a unique effect to the subject as he closes in on his prey, the unassuming little grasshopper.

Another of my favorite images from this context! First of all, what an amazing species. That tail is absolutely glorious and you did an excellent job with picking a great composition to show off the best of this animal's incredible traits. It is tack sharp, with loads of texture and a nice clean background. The only reason I do not have this one in the top 10 is there appears to be some potential masking or editing issues around the tail where the background is inconsistent in tone, if you fixed that I think it is a perfect image. Great work!

You did a fantastic job capturing a really special portrait of Gizmo. The colors are enchanting, but so is the composition here. The eye, perfectly round, draws the viewer right in. I love the framing of spikes above, and I particularly am drawn to his splayed out foot as well. This is a very cool image of a beautiful animal!