Get Ready for the Laughs, Surprises, and Wonders of Nature with iNaturalist!

Picture this: You’re strolling through your neighborhood or hiking along your favorite nature trail, when suddenly—WHAMMO! You spot a plant that looks almost like a superhero wearing a cape, an insect that’s clearly been taking its morning coffee a little too seriously, or a bird trying desperately to blend in with a tree. What do you do? Whip out your phone, snap a pic, and upload it to the iNaturalist app, of course! Welcome to the quirky, comical, and totally unpredictable world of wildlife observation during the City Nature Challenge (CNC YXE)!

This year’s City Nature Challenge (April 25–April 28, 2025) is coming up, and trust us—this is your golden opportunity to connect with nature in the most fun and hilarious way possible. The CNC isn’t just about collecting data on wildlife—it’s about celebrating nature’s weird, wacky, and wonderful quirks. Whether you’re an experienced naturalist or just someone who loves a good laugh, iNaturalist will take you on a wild ride through some of the most hilarious and heartwarming nature moments you’ll ever encounter.

The Comedy Show that is the Natural World

Let’s be honest: Nature is weird. But that’s what makes it so awesome! Here are just a few of the wacky and hilarious observations you can find to take a photo of while using iNaturalist during your hike:

Camouflage Champions: These animals are so good at hiding that you’ll almost miss them—unless you’re really paying attention. A leaf bug? A stick insect? Or that one lizard who believes it’s a rock? These are the masters of disguise, and they always get the last laugh.
Nature’s Comedians: Ever seen a bird looking absolutely outraged as it attempts to scare off a squirrel that’s way too confident? It’s nature’s version of slapstick comedy, and it’s hilarious.
Flying Creatures with Attitude: We’re talking about the kind of insects that strut around like they own the place. You might come across a ladybug throwing shade at a butterfly, or a bee that’s just a bit too full of itself. Get ready for a face-to-face with nature’s diva insects!
The Case of the Quirky Mammals: Ever wondered if squirrels are secretly plotting world domination? Or if raccoons are trying to figure out how to open your trash cans just to mess with you? Let iNaturalist help you uncover these hilarious animal secrets!
Organisms That Shouldn’t Be Alive: Find something so bizarre, so oddly shaped, you’ll swear it’s from another planet. From mushrooms that look like they belong in a cartoon to plants that seem to be giving you the side-eye—nature is full of surprises.
Sticky-Fingered Critters: Ever see an animal with paws that seem to grab everything in sight? Watch out for critters that leave nothing untouched, like raccoons or squirrels. They’ll snatch your sandwich in a heartbeat—and leave you laughing in the process.
Funny Faces in the Fungi Kingdom: Fungus isn’t just for biology class. Some of them actually look like they’re making funny faces at you! Who knew mushrooms had so much personality?

Celebrate Earth Month with iNaturalist!

But wait—there’s more to the fun! Not only will you encounter the hilarious wonders of nature during your City Nature Challenge adventures, but you’ll also be part of something bigger. This year marks the 55th birthday of Earth Month AND the 10th Anniversary of the City Nature Challenge! That’s right—two amazing milestones for both celebrating and preserving the world’s biodiversity. What better way to get involved than by joining this epic event from April 25–April 28, 2025?

Not only will you have a blast capturing the goofy side of nature, but you’ll also be helping to collect valuable data that scientists can use to protect the environment. And guess what? Your observations, hilarious or not, help document species in your area and contribute to global biodiversity efforts. Bonus points if you manage to get a picture of a tree that looks like it’s trying to do a dance move.

Easter Break + Nature = Fun!

Got students on break? The Easter holiday (April 19–April 27, 2025) is the perfect time for them to get outdoors and explore nature through iNaturalist. It’s the kind of hands-on learning experience they’ll remember for years. From giggling at unexpected wildlife encounters to feeling the thrill of spotting something as wild as a beetle doing a victory dance, the City Nature Challenge offers fun and education.

A Nature Scavenger Hunt like No Other

Ready to get started? Here’s a fun list of wacky, cool, hilarious, and wonderful Nature hike scavenger ideas to watch for that are bound to tickle your funny bone and spark your curiosity during your nature hikes:

Camouflage Champions
Nature’s Comedians
Weird and Wacky Wildflowers
Superhero-like Insects
The Case of the Quirky Mammals
Best Sideburns in the Animal Kingdom
Unexpected Garden Guests
Green Monsters – the plants around us
Flying Creatures with Attitude
Organisms That Shouldn’t Be Alive
Most Mischievous Insects
Wildlife Who Don’t Know They’re Beautiful
The Almost Extinct Mammals of Your Neighborhood
Animals Who Think They’re Plants
Gigantic Fungus Sightings
Unlikely Pairs: Inter-species Friendships
Wildlife Photobombs and Laughs
Animals – Masters of Disguise
Epic Plant Fails
The Great Insect Races
Edible or Not – Fun Nature Food Finds
Tree-plant Relationships: A Love Story
Scavenger Hunt for the Weirdest Organisms
Kooky Creatures of the World
Odd Birds Doing Odd Things
Plants with Purposefully Picky Preferences
Uncommon Amphibians Doing Uncommon Things
Sticky-Fingered Critters
Backyard Jungle Adventures
Funny Faces in the Fungi Kingdom
Weirdest Worms Ever
Predators with Personalities
Mystery Animals of the Day
Bizarre Bugs – An Entomologist’s Dream
Extreme Animal Behavior
The Silly Side of Nature
Wonderful Weirdness in Plant Life
Funky Fruits and Vegetables
The Unseen World of Backyard Nature

Join the Fun with iNaturalist

So, what are you waiting for? Download the iNaturalist app today and start exploring the hilarious, quirky, and inspiring world around you. The City Nature Challenge is the perfect way to get involved, have fun, and make memories this Earth Month while celebrating the 10th Anniversary of the CNC. Who knows what wacky nature discoveries you’ll make—one thing’s for sure: you’ll have plenty of laughs along the way! Get ready to go wild!

Come to Nature, Come to Life! …and there are free events!