Optical illusion: If you spot the sneaky cat in THIS picture in under 6 seconds, you have perfect vision!

Optical illusions are a lot of fun, since they make our brains perceive an image differently from how it actually appears, or is. These illusions occur because the brain interprets visual stimuli in complex ways, often making assumptions based on past experiences or conflicting information, or by just getting confused!

Not only this, these illusions often trick us into seeing things that are not there, or perceiving objects differently from reality. For example, a still image might appear to move, or two shapes may seem unequal in size even though they are identical.

Where is the sneaky cat?
Look at this image carefully. What looks like a regular store room, is filled with books, cartons, bags, some junk and a sneaky cat! Yes, that is right. A pet cat is somewhere lurking around in the picture, but is extremely difficult to spot. Cats, as all know are great at hiding, and this little fella wants to give a tough time to its master, and has gone ahead and lodged himself inside one of the crevices of this already stuffed room. The image was shared on X, by the handle @piedpiperlko, who wrote, “Cat owners will know all too well how crafty they can be when it comes to finding snug, and often unexpected, hiding places to nap in. It's no surprise that an image has gone viral which shows a sneaky cat hiding in plain sight – and barely anyone can spot it. Can you spot it?” And while you can figure out a way to spot it, remember you just have six seconds!

Let's find the answer
Give up? Here's the answer for you. The cat is sitting inside on one of the book shelves, perched atop a pile of books. Take a look...


What are the different kinds of optical illusions?

There are three main types of optical illusions:

Literal Illusions: These occur when the brain combines elements of an image to create something that doesn’t exist. For example, an image might look like two faces or a vase depending on how you interpret it.

Physiological Illusions: These are caused by overstimulation of the visual system, such as excessive exposure to light, movement, or color. They can create effects like afterimages or motion illusions.

Cognitive Illusions: These rely on how the brain subconsciously interprets information. Examples include illusions like the Müller-Lyer illusion, where lines appear longer or shorter due to surrounding shapes.

How do optical illusions work?
Optical illusions occur because of the way our brain processes visual information. The human vision system is complex but not perfect. When light enters the eyes, it is converted into signals by the retina and sent to the brain for interpretation. The brain uses past experiences and patterns to fill in gaps and make sense of what it sees.