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They say there is always more than meets the eye. So today, we are going to take you on an illusory roller coaster where things are not what they seem, or rather they seem to be not what they are… Unless you look twice, and thrice, and then everything seems fine.

Bored Panda has compiled a list full of mind-bending camouflages we encounter every day and don’t give much thought to. From a sizzling paella bowl that resembles a pool full of tiny humans to a piece of toothpaste that came out just like someone’s taken their nose off, these are some of the most amusing optical illusions.

Be prepared for your mind to play tricks on you, and don’t forget to check out our previous posts with incredible optical illusions here and here.

#2

The Armadillo Lizard Looks Like A Baby Dragon

The Armadillo Lizard Looks Like A Baby Dragon

__messy__ Report

#3

My Black Cat Looks Like My White Cat’s Shadow

My Black Cat Looks Like My White Cat’s Shadow

JoshuaForLong Report

Call me crazy, but today on my way to work, I saw a trash bag that looked just like a bird. I gave it a second glimpse, only to realize my eyes were deceiving me, and that it was, in fact, nothing more and nothing less than a plastic bag.

Chances are most of us happen to have optical illusions now and then. They distort reality in such a way that we see objects, shapes, or things that are not entirely there. Usually it doesn’t last long, but it doesn’t make it any less realistic.

Kim Ransley, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Sydney, explains that “In day-to-day life, the ability to distinguish objects helps us work out what is around us when parts of the scene are covered or lighting is poor.”

However, when it comes to the visual patterns that appear in random things and places, and occur purely by chance, these “can also trigger the system, causing us to see familiar objects in very strange places—such as the appearance of a face in a cloud.”

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#4

I Found A Pattern On Some Rocks In Sweden That Looks A Bit Like Starry Night By Van Gogh

I Found A Pattern On Some Rocks In Sweden That Looks A Bit Like Starry Night By Van Gogh

Nikoolisphotography Report

#5

The Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma Disstria) That Looks Like It's Wearing A Penguin Sweater

The Forest Tent Caterpillar Moth (Malacosoma Disstria) That Looks Like It's Wearing A Penguin Sweater

sofiabiologista Report

It turns out, this is all due to our ability to see, which involves the brain molding raw sensory data we get from the world around us into a more refined form. Kim explained that most of these refinements “are deliberate—they’re designed to help us survive.”

Other times, “certain patterns regularly trip our brains up” even if they have evolved to guess right most of the time. “That’s when we might see an optical illusion,” she concluded.

#7

This Is Moss Agate From Indonesia, The ''Moss'' Is Actually Iron And Other Mineral Inclusions In The Stone That Make It Look Like It Contains A Secret Forest

This Is Moss Agate From Indonesia, The ''Moss'' Is Actually Iron And Other Mineral Inclusions In The Stone That Make It Look Like It Contains A Secret Forest

Javamineralsandfossil Report

#8

These Trees With Christmas Lights Under The Snow Look Like Rocket Launch

These Trees With Christmas Lights Under The Snow Look Like Rocket Launch

alexandrosdimo Report

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#9

The Moon Looks Like Saturn

The Moon Looks Like Saturn

⁣⁣From afar you may wonder, “Is that an asteroid ring around the moon?”. Well, the disguise of this waning moon is actually a thin cirrostratus cloud. The way the cloud interacts with the moon creates a unique display of beauty that steals protagonism from the surrounding stars. Below the moon? The dimly lit silhouette of volcano Pacaya and the Guatemalan highlands can be appreciated.⁣⁣
⁣⁣ Captured at dawn December 24, 2019⁣

francisco_sojuel Report

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#10

Doggo Looking Like A Bear After The Bath

Doggo Looking Like A Bear After The Bath

bertiebertthepom Report

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Dorothy Parker
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That face. That expression. All that love just for you. Beautiful little bear pup.

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#11

The Light Coming From The Bathroom Window Makes My Cat Look Like She Just Had A Great Idea

The Light Coming From The Bathroom Window Makes My Cat Look Like She Just Had A Great Idea

lucyvlt Report

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Grapeling
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The way she looms in the shadows makes me think that the great idea is probably a plot against humanity hh

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#12

I Took A Picture Of A Window With Rain On It And It Looks Like A Planet Surrounded By Millions Of Stars

I Took A Picture Of A Window With Rain On It And It Looks Like A Planet Surrounded By Millions Of Stars

norfo Report

#13

The Wings Of The Atlas Moth Look Like Snakes

The Wings Of The Atlas Moth Look Like Snakes

Sandra , weepling Report

#15

This Baby Bird Looks Like A Pinecone

This Baby Bird Looks Like A Pinecone

thebigleobowski Report

#18

The Pebbles On This Beach Look A Lot Like Eggs

The Pebbles On This Beach Look A Lot Like Eggs

giannistsou.1 Report

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F.S
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

it would be so nice to just lie down on them for a bit, under the sun.

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#19

This Cat Looks Exactly Like A Bowl Of Flour

This Cat Looks Exactly Like A Bowl Of Flour

Humphrey07 Report

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#20

The Snow On My Husband's Car Looks Like Cloth

The Snow On My Husband's Car Looks Like Cloth

DaturaMuril Report

#22

The Window Of This House I Rented Looks Like A Painting

The Window Of This House I Rented Looks Like A Painting

_newphonewhodis Report

#24

This Is Jubilee. She Just Happens To Look Like Bad Taxidermy

This Is Jubilee. She Just Happens To Look Like Bad Taxidermy

critterwalk Report

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Raine Soo
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Bad taxidermy! Ha, ha, ha! Thanks for the laugh. Jubilee is still cute, despite the description.

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#25

Every Year, My Next Door Neighbors House Looks Like A Can Of Arizona Green Tea

Every Year, My Next Door Neighbors House Looks Like A Can Of Arizona Green Tea

dreph Report

#26

The Way My Company’s Cooling System Becomes Giant LEGO Bricks In The Snow

The Way My Company’s Cooling System Becomes Giant LEGO Bricks In The Snow

Thetrg Report

#27

I Almost Died. I Found My Mom's New "USB Hub" Sitting On Her Desk

I Almost Died. I Found My Mom's New "USB Hub" Sitting On Her Desk

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#29

Morro Rock Looks Like A Pile Of Gold During Sunrise

Morro Rock Looks Like A Pile Of Gold During Sunrise

Cnoordz Report

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#30

This Turtle's Shell Looks Like A Sombrero

This Turtle's Shell Looks Like A Sombrero

morgiibee Report

#31

These Rice Fields Look Like Stained Glass From Above

These Rice Fields Look Like Stained Glass From Above

airpixels Report

#32

Baby Snapping Turtles Look Just Like Little Dinosaurs

Baby Snapping Turtles Look Just Like Little Dinosaurs

Brick_in_the_dbol Report

#34

The Inside Of These Acoustic Guitars Look Like Luxury Apartments

The Inside Of These Acoustic Guitars Look Like Luxury Apartments

pokemasterlol , lamehorseguitars Report

#35

You'll See It Once And Never Again

You'll See It Once And Never Again

Thatguyfrank92 Report

#36

This Building Looks Like A Single Wall Of Windows

This Building Looks Like A Single Wall Of Windows

JelaniKazu Report

#37

A Shot Of Burning Man That Looks Like A Solar System

A Shot Of Burning Man That Looks Like A Solar System

jacob Report

#38

Tiny Weeds In My Garden Look Like A Desert Oasis

Tiny Weeds In My Garden Look Like A Desert Oasis

HiddenDongo Report

#39

This Small Red Potato Looks Like An Anatomical Heart

This Small Red Potato Looks Like An Anatomical Heart

Jztak7 Report

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#40

My Purple Potatoes Look Like Gemstones

My Purple Potatoes Look Like Gemstones

2pam Report

#41

The Shadow Of My Bookshelf Looks Like A City Skyline

The Shadow Of My Bookshelf Looks Like A City Skyline

AppropriateForm Report

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Rainbow Panda
Community Member
3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Books are a portal to another world, and the shadows have shown. 📚

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#42

These Clouds By My House Look Like A UFO Invasion

These Clouds By My House Look Like A UFO Invasion

YoyoColo Report

#43

This Paella Looks Like A Bunch Of People In A Dirty Pool

This Paella Looks Like A Bunch Of People In A Dirty Pool

poison_2222 Report

#44

The Moss Growing In This Bus Stop Gutter Looks Like A Tiny Ancient Ruin On Top Of A Hill

The Moss Growing In This Bus Stop Gutter Looks Like A Tiny Ancient Ruin On Top Of A Hill

teksponge Report

#46

My Car Wash Foam Looks Like A Sparkling Sunset

My Car Wash Foam Looks Like A Sparkling Sunset

Rosalie-Crutchley Report

#47

How The Ice Looks Like Scotch Tape On The Roof Of This Barn

How The Ice Looks Like Scotch Tape On The Roof Of This Barn

Tterrajsiwel Report

#48

My Toothpaste Came Out Looking Like A Nose

My Toothpaste Came Out Looking Like A Nose

shefearsoblivion Report

#49

Fixing My Parent’s Computer This Morning. Turns Out The P Is For Potato Salad. Not What I First Thought

Fixing My Parent’s Computer This Morning. Turns Out The P Is For Potato Salad. Not What I First Thought

salty8888 Report

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#50

Who Else Thinks My Wife's New Can Opener (Hehe) Looks Like A Strange Sex Toy?

Who Else Thinks My Wife's New Can Opener (Hehe) Looks Like A Strange Sex Toy?

stubbornmoose Report

Note: this post originally had 135 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.