A new optical illusion challenge has everyone on the internet buzzing, and everyone is scratching their heads.
A viral image of hidden cats is challenging people’s observational skills; only the sharpest minds can solve it.
This brainteaser has been attracting those social media users looking to prove their visual perception abilities.
The image as it is seems to be a straightforward shot of some cats at first glance.
But one of them is hiding a twist so well that it has caused heated debates among the netizens.
Reddit, Instagram, and Twitter users have been struggling to find the elusive fourth cat.
Some claim they saw it on sight, others have zoomed in and out for minutes without success.
According to the challenge, only those who can spot all four cats in under 15 seconds are blessed with an extraordinary eye for detail.
People have long been interested in optical illusions because they show how our brains process visual information.
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The human mind is quick to assume and moves quickly over what’s right in front of it.
Experts claim that puzzles such as these help with cognitive function and improve attention to detail and critical thinking.
Like virtually all puzzles, the studies show that working on visual puzzles can keep the brain sharp and may delay cognitive decline.
The particular illusion has been likened to the popular “Find the Sniper” meme, in which objects are hidden in plain sight.
The fourth cat’s fur perfectly matches the background, making it almost invisible; the same principle applies here.
It has been dubbed the ‘Camocat’ — an animal that disappears into its environment.
“I kept staring at the three cats, then zoomed out—and there it was, hiding in plain sight!,” joked one Reddit user.
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One other amused participant commented, “Maybe the fourth cat hasn’t been born yet!” which surely sums up how hard it is to see.
In fact, many participants have even been asking for help from friends and family, how tricky this illusion can really be.
However, the challenge is not as simple as it looks, and there is a scientific explanation for why it is so difficult.
Our brains are wired to find familiar patterns, and they imagine bigger or more distinct objects.
That is, unless we pay attention, we may not notice a well-camouflaged cat, for example.
The big reveal is that there are actually four cats in the image, but the last one is almost invisible if you haven’t noticed.
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The fourth feline is carefully hidden in the background against a background that blends well into its fur pattern.
People who did manage to find it within the 15-second limit are being hailed as “geniuses” due to their exceptional observation skills.
Do you think you have what it takes, then? Will you take the challenge and try and find all four cats in time?
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