Optical illusion: Can you spot the sneaky cat in this lively city?

Just like our physical selves, our brain too, needs exercise. And what better way to sharpen our brain than the good old optical illusion? Optical illusions get our brain to exercise, and they are also a way to reveal our innermost personality and hidden traits. An optical illusion is a visual phenomenon where the brain misinterprets what the eyes perceive. It occurs when the information sent by the eyes conflicts with how the brain processes and understands what it sees. 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.

Can you identify the sneaky cat?
Look closely at this picture. On first look, it looks like any othe metropolitan European city, with colorful buildings, old French style windows, some canopies etc. However, behind the hustle bustle of everyday life, a sneaky cat has gone ahead and perched itself in the narrow crevices of the busy building, and is extremely difficult to spot. Would you want to give it a try? But remember, you just have 5 seconds!

The reveal

Give up? Look at the right side of the image, and you will find the "purry" troublemaker. We have also marked out the image for you. Take a look....


Types 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.