A ginger cat as the CEO in a boardroom: the cat seated in an oversized leather executive chair at the head of a long table, tiny reading glasses perched on its nose, one paw resting on an open folder, staring flatly at a projected bar chart trending downward. Six other cats around the table look nervous. Photorealistic, played completely straight

Penguins commuting to work: a dense column of emperor penguins waddling in orderly single file across a snowy plaza toward a subway entrance, each carrying a small briefcase or thermos, some with scarves, one checking a pocket watch. Office towers of ice behind. Deadpan, played completely straight

An octopus running a restaurant kitchen line: the octopus at the centre of a stainless steel station using all eight arms at once, one flipping a pan, one plating, one tasting from a spoon, one reaching for salt, one wiping a plate rim, tickets clipped above. Flames, steam, absolute competence

A brown bear working as a barber: the enormous bear in a striped apron standing behind a barber chair, delicately holding tiny scissors and a comb in its huge paws, mid-trim on a very calm badger customer. Mirrors, hair clippings on the floor, a row of pomade jars

A sloth teaching a yoga class: the sloth hanging upside down from a bar at the front of a bright studio, holding a serene expression, while a room of increasingly impatient rabbits on mats waits for the next instruction. Plants, soft morning light, a small singing bowl

A squirrel as head librarian: the squirrel perched on a rolling ladder in a vast wood-panelled library, holding an acorn in one paw and shelving a book with the other, a tiny pair of spectacles and a name badge. Acorns stored neatly in the card catalogue drawers below

A frog band on stage: four frogs performing under coloured spotlights, one on a tiny drum kit mid-fill, one leaning into a microphone with throat fully inflated, one on bass, one on keys. A packed audience of fireflies glowing in the dark venue. Smoke and stage lighting

A panda working as a barista: the panda behind an espresso machine in a small cafe, wearing a black apron, carefully pouring a latte art rosetta into a cup held in its other paw, steam wand still dripping. A queue of small woodland animals waiting patiently with reusable cups

A golden retriever on the winner's podium at a swimming competition: the dog on the number one block wearing a gold medal and a swim cap, still dripping wet, tongue out and clearly delighted. A wet Labrador on second and a very unimpressed poodle on third. Pool and lane ropes behind, camera flashes