The Art Of Camouflage: 40+ Photos Of Objects And Animals Hiding In Plain Sight

By Romy M

As children, we all enjoyed games that required us to find something hidden – for example, hide and seek, Where’s Waldo, and I spy. You may have thought your searching days were over, but a subreddit called “Find the Sniper” has rewarded us with an endless supply of photos of objects that blend in perfectly with their surroundings.

These posts may leave you searching for a phone, cat, or bug for an embarrassing amount of time, and sometimes you might even need a clue or two. So, prepare to spend your time searching for 45 excellently disguised items that will possibly hurt your head.

And don’t be afraid to get your magnifying glass out, increase the brightness on your phone and find a comfortable place to sit because you’ll be here for a while!

A ‘Screw’ Up

If it took you forever to find the hidden object in this photo, you’re not alone. When this person was putting together a space heater, they dropped one of the bolts on the ground. It took them five minutes to find it, but we’re even more surprised they found it at all!

Image courtesy of stupidnatsfan/Reddit

If you’re struggling to discover it, try to look in the area surrounding the big metal thing. When you look hard enough, you’ll see a tiny bolt. And if you’re lucky, maybe you’ll also be able to spot a penny on the left side of the image. 

Cat(meleon)

We thought only chameleons had the ability to camouflage, but we’ve been proven wrong. It took us a hot second to find this kitty cat. If there’s a secret agency for cats, they should really consider hiring this guy since he blends into the marble so well. 

Image courtesy of MrRossyy/Reddit

If it wasn’t for the cat’s ears, we wouldn’t have been able to detect this sly feline. He can be seen walking near the bottom right corner. If he belonged to us, we’re nearly certain that we’d trip over him on a regular basis. 

The Abyss

No, that is not a snake. That lump in the middle of the carpet is not what you’re looking for. If only it were that easy. Instead, you should be searching for a single blueberry in the sea of blue carpet. 

Image courtesy of curlyhairedcakegirl/Reddit

For this one, you need to increase your brightness all the way up and utilize those zooming-in skills. But even then, you still might not be able to see it. Next, draw your attention to the top right next to the table leg, and you’ll notice it lying there innocuously. Possibly laughing at you! 

Threatening Burrowing Owl

No wonder this owl’s ability to blend in is so advanced. It is a threatened species and probably needs to do that in order to survive. But don’t let the ‘burrowing’ part fool you. This owl is chilling where you would least expect. 

Image courtesy of Firefly1307/Reddit

Since he is so good at camouflaging, we’ll give you a hint about where he is. You’ll spot his grumpy face right below the drawing of the owl. You’ll probably wish you hadn’t found him because you can now see the death stare that he’s giving you!

What Does the Fox Say?

You may want to schedule a few days off work to figure this one out. The owner of this photograph couldn’t even find the fox straight away. With all those brown leaves and tree trunks, everything looks like a fox to us!

Image courtesy of icallhimleon/Reddit

If you’re like us and took forever to see Mr. Fox, you could benefit from some help. Focus on the left side of the photograph. The sneaky creature is hiding near a tree trunk while staring at the camera – cheeky bugger!

Spot the Kitty

If you’ve been on social media for a while, you’ve probably seen this picture doing its rounds. It’s particularly infamous for hiding the snow leopard stashed away in the mountains, even though it’s been staring you right in the face all along. 

Image courtesy of NateArcher/Reddit

Don’t be startled when you spot the big cat next to the top pile of snow because he looks ready to pounce. If you still can’t see it, just know that you probably wouldn’t survive in the wild with this terrifying leopard. 

Pick-a-Boo

This person sometimes loses their guitar pick after putting it down on the desk. It could be anywhere in the world by now (get it?). He/she should probably invest in a bright pink one to ensure this doesn’t happen again. 

Image courtesy of severed13/Reddit

Don’t strain your eyes trying to look for that black guitar pick. We’re feeling generous, so we’ll give you a clue. The tiny item is right in front of the keyboard towards the left. That will save you from thinking there’s a large island in the Atlantic Ocean. 

Pug Shenanigans

We wouldn’t want to be the owner of this pug because it looks like he’s nowhere to be seen. Letting your dog off its leash can be stressful but imagine the added pressure you’ll feel when it can camouflage like this one. 

Image courtesy of ButNevertheless/Reddit

Normally, a dog would be frolicking in the grass or chasing a bird, but this pug pup is peeking through the spiral of the bench’s armrest. His cute little head fits perfectly in the circle, so you’d never think to look there. 

Cat Adventures

This one’s a little tricky. You’ll probably spot two globes, hundreds of books, and many seashells before you find the cat in this photograph. You’ll also discover that shells look a lot like cats which will fool you into thinking you found it. 

Image courtesy of oj81/Reddit

The only thing that gives us more anxiety than not finding the cat is the uncentered TV. In fact, that’s the reason the kitty managed to get behind it (look for the white paws sticking out from under the television). 

Mango the Bird

Anyone who is colorblind will struggle with this picture, especially since the whole point is to find the colorful bird. If it wasn’t for the eyes and beak, it would be impossible to spot this Lovebird. Who knew they disguise themselves so well? 

Image courtesy of LittleCala/Reddit

If we’ve learned anything from this ‘find the sniper’ subreddit, it’s that birds resemble mangoes. Just make sure you don’t grab the mango-colored bird when looking for a snack. You’ll find him chilling among the fruit on the left-middle side of the photo. 

Disguisssed Snake

When you take your first look at this, you would think it’s a measly picture of the ground. But no. Somewhere among the leaves hides a copperhead snake. We’re pretty sure anyone who didn’t have a phobia of snakes before has one now.

Image courtesy of reddit.com

A useful tip for playing this game is to always start looking for the object in the middle. Photographers often frame their subject in the center, which is why you’ll find this bad boy right in the middle. Just remember to watch where you’re walking from now on. 

What the Geck?

When you find a gecko in your bathroom, your first reaction is usually to get it back outside. But this person decided to take a quick pic first. The photographer is lucky they found it before it found its way inside the brush. 

Image courtesy of realizmbass/Reddit

The brush really throws you off and will leave you thinking the lizard is turquoise. However, the small reptile can be found blending into the counter between the brush and the wall. You’ll most likely spot its tiny eye or striped tail first. 

Egg-cellent Camouflage

After all these intensely difficult pictures, we thought we’d give you an easy one. You need to find the phone case placed somewhere among the chocolate. Make sure you don’t mistake it for the crème eggs because it probably won’t taste as good. 

Image courtesy of Bigg_UN

Don’t worry if you can’t spot it straight away because we’re always here to lend a helping hand. The second row from the bottom, in front of the third box from the right, is where you’ll find the red phone case. 

Sleeping Kitty

Warning: don’t just pick up any piece of firewood in this photograph because one is actually a sleeping cat. He has given a whole new meaning to the saying, ‘sleeping like a log,’ and attempting to find him will surely leave you ‘stumped.’ 

Image courtesy of gladamirflint/Reddit

Once you finally spot the cat, you won’t be able to unsee it. He’s dozing off right at the top of the pile of logs in the middle. You’ll notice that he’s moderately lighter than the surrounding logs, which gives his location away. 

Doughnut Give Up

A puzzler’s worst nightmare is to find out they have lost a piece of the puzzle just as they are about to finish it. This person didn’t actually lose their piece but discovered that it was hidden in plain sight. 

Image courtesy of Fizzy107/Reddit

If you’re like us, you’re probably struggling to find the piece, so we have a very helpful suggestion. Look at the donut where the piece is missing and try to spot similar donuts. You’ll discover the mislaid piece in the middle on top of that donut. 

Finders Keepers

Everyone loves finding money on the floor. Some cultures believe that it represents prosperity and good fortune. Too bad you won’t find the coin on this floor. We’re sure people have been passing by it for years without knowing they could snag a quarter.

Image courtesy of Ser-Jorah-Mormont/Reddit

The quarter is towards the bottom left corner of the pic. It’s nearly the same color as the ground because of how dirty it is. But its outline and contrasting color give it away. Now if only you could claim the quarter for yourself!

Boo!

If you are one of those people who believe they can survive an attack from a wild animal, this picture will prove you wrong. Hiding somewhere among the trees and grass is a leopard waiting to have you for lunch!

Image courtesy of PaperNeutrino/Reddit

For a creature with spots, it sure is hard to spot. Set your gaze to the bottom right of the picture beside the large tree trunk, and you’ll see the leopard peeking its head through the tall grass. It may be adorable, but it’s 100% deadly. 

Demon Dog

Feast your eyes upon this cute but scary-looking doggy (if you can find him, of course). It must be hard having a dog that can hide so well – you never know where it’s lurking or what it’s planning on doing to you from the shadows. 

Image courtesy of cedwards13/Reddit

We know you’re looking for a dog in this shot, but it would be more helpful to look out for a demon because that’s what this canine looks like. You can see his terrifying face at the bottom of the tall grass toward the middle. 

A Real Dirt Bike

This cyclist won’t get very far without a front wheel. We’re not sure how someone could lose their tire in plain sight, but it seems they have. We suggest they get it repaired after discovering where exactly they put it. 

Image courtesy of jsjdjdnkokdkfj/Reddit

Were you fooled? The wheel is actually still on the bicycle. It’s merely caked in mud and perfectly matches the color of the ground. It’s right where it’s supposed to be, and you can even see a bit of the black tire peeking out through the mud.

Teeny Tiny Kitten Alert

We think we should get to keep this puppy as compensation for having to find this kitten. If you’re a cat owner, you’ll likely find this kitty quickly since you’re used to their antics. But the rest of us will have to spend days searching. 

Image courtesy of taghoulsie/Reddit

Here’s a tip: check the couch. Not on top of the sofa or beside it, but instead, look underneath it. On the left side, you’ll see the tiny head of a kitten sticking out. It’s so small that we’re surprised no one has accidentally stepped on the little guy. 

Camouflage Crazy

Lo and behold, an easier creature to spot. Although this chameleon is not that hard to find, it is a great indicator of the power of nature and how animals can do some pretty amazing things. He’s camouflaging into a camo bag!

Image courtesy of Realhumanbeing3/Reddit

As mentioned, this chameleon is hiding somewhere on the military backpack. For those who are having some difficulty, you will spot the reptile on the right edge of the bag. It almost looks like this cutie doesn’t want his owner to go. 

Ninja Cat

We’ve already determined how tricky it can be to find a cat. This one is no different. You’ll probably end up looking at this picture so long that you’ll start to believe there is no cat. But we’re here to tell you to look again. 

Image courtesy of Reddit.com

It’s not on the roof, nor the window, so where could it be? The answer to that question is fairly simple. The sneaky kitty is along the top of the greenery towards the right. You’ll only be able to discover him if you look for a pair of grey ears sticking out. 

Two Heads Are Better Than One

If you are unfamiliar with hyenas, this one might look normal to you. But for those of you who are, it probably appears slightly strange. We are all wondering why it has an extra ear and a wonky left eye. 

Image courtesy of cikoaci34/Reddit

Fortunately, the hyena is not deformed, but it’s merely a mother with a baby hyena right in front of her face. If the faces still look merged to you, try to look for the baby’s side profile on the left and the mother’s half-covered face on the right. 

I See You

Something tells us it’s going to be a long day of searching for this rodent. With all the tiny rodent-looking rocks, it’s enough to drive you crazy. However, finding this adorable little guy will be worth it in the end. 

Image courtesy of givemeclaire-ity/Reddit

You see the big rock that’s not exactly in the middle and shifted somewhat up and to the right? That’s the chair of the rodent sitting right on top of it. His little face looks shocked that you found him. 

Who Goes There?

Nothing to see here. Just a spotted tree with legs and eyes. It’s definitely not a giraffe. You would think these huge mammals have a hard time hiding since they can reach heights of up to 6 meters. But this proves they have handy camouflage skills. 

Image courtesy of kjmill25/Reddit

“Melman” here (for those who have watched Madagascar) is standing on the far right of the photo next to the foregrounded tree. Look out for a long neck and a face staring directly at you. Is anyone else scared of giraffes now? 

Cunning Corgi

You could probably find three mountain lions, five goats, and a polar bear before you spot the dog in this picture. Its owner must have extreme ‘I Spy’ skills to locate its sneaky pooch. Most people would’ve accepted that it’s gone forever.  

Image courtesy of lurvpank/Reddit

Get ready for the cutest surprise. The cute corgi is hiding between the large rocks on the right side. Like many animals in these posts, you’ll spot his ears and half his head sticking out from the gap. He knew exactly what he was doing!

OWLsome Disguise

We came, we saw, and we conquered. There’s nothing like an easy discovery to brighten up your day. ‘Who’ knew owls had the ability to blend into trees? This camouflage probably works best at night when they’re in their element. 

Image courtesy of Hotel777/Reddit

Plot twist: the tree is the owl! Fortunately for us, the sneaky bird is right in the middle, and it clearly doesn’t give a hoot! Its feathers don’t match the tree exactly, so it’s easy to see where the tree stops and the owl starts. 

Sneaky Snek

If you don’t see a snake in the cage, it’s most likely because it’s right behind you. Just kidding! Owning a sly dog or cat is surely not as bad as having a snake with fantastic hiding abilities. You never know what they’re capable of. 

Image courtesy of cazmajor/Reddit

Don’t bother searching for a large snake because this one is teeny tiny. In fact, don’t even try looking for a body because the only part that’s visible is its head sticking out of the newspaper crease on the left. That could give anyone a heart attack. 

Here Kitty Kitty

Losing your cat on a bed of stuffed toys is all fun and games until you reach in and get your arm scratched. We don’t know what is more impressive; the kitty’s hiding place or the enormous collection of plushies. 

Image courtesy of cgott84/Reddit

Considering not everyone has 5 hours to look for a naughty kitty, we’ll give you a hint about its whereabouts. At the top of the bunkbed, the feline is sticking its head out between a red toy and a green dinosaur. We have another talented spy on our hands.  

A ‘Die-lemma’

Oh no, another impossible task. There’s little hope in finding the dice that this person dropped, mainly because it’s microscopic. The only way to find it is by relying upon your sense of touch and running your hands along the floor. 

Image courtesy of ChanpionMan64/Reddit

If we are being completely honest, this one took a while. Eventually, we discovered the dice was almost in the middle but slightly veering off toward the left. Not that this is especially helpful, but they rolled a number 5. 

Elaborate Paint Job

Don’t be alarmed, but there’s a person among these rocks. When you manage to spot her, you’ll be flabbergasted that you didn’t see it in the first place. The body paint is so convincing that we wouldn’t be surprised if someone accidentally stepped on her!

Image courtesy of brockleeham/Reddit

The only tip we can give is to look for a face. In the top middle part of the photograph, you’ll notice a white rock with nostrils and a mouth on it. Then you can zoom out and identify the rest of the spectacularly camouflaged woman. 

Numbers? What Numbers?

There is nothing worse than someone painting over the numbers at an apartment building. Just imagine being a delivery driver who can’t find the right apartment number. Or perhaps being paramedics who can’t find the person they need to save. 

Image courtesy of Jeepster412/Reddit

Luckily the numbers are placed where apartment numbers usually are – directly above the door. To help you have an easier time finding them, the numbers are 13 and 14. We knew 13 was an unlucky number, but we didn’t realize it was this bad. 

Unsolved Case

For future reference, we suggest you avoid buying a phone case with the same pattern as your living room carpet. It can lead to a strange situation where you drop your phone on the carpet and spend days searching for it. 

Image courtesy of makeitrain653/Reddit

The floral phone case can be seen next to the right leg of the table. Although the pattern isn’t identical to the carpet, it’s perfectly aligned with the dark strip making it an arduous task to spot it. They might be better off buying a new phone case or carpet. 

Double Trouble

If only this game required us to find the cat on the chairs. Instead, we must search for a second cat somewhere in the jungle. And don’t let the reflection on the glass table trick you; that’s not the second cat. 

Image courtesy of nefees/Reddit

We know this one is a toughie, but luckily the second cat isn’t much further than the obvious kitty. You can spot its tiny head slightly to the right of the other cat. Interestingly, they’re both gawking at the camera. 

Camo Kitty

If the last post taught us anything, it’s that there are always more cats than meets the eye. Talk about being invisible! We are sure the odd cat out receives less attention since you never really know where it is. 

Image courtesy of thebadyearblimp/Reddit

The trick to this photograph is to note not all the cats are black. The secret fourth one is greyish and to the left of the black cat on the top. But perhaps the weirdest part of this photograph is that they’re all staring at the camera once again. 

Cat’s on a Roll

Don’t get us wrong; we’re always curious about what’s hidden in these photos. But the need to understand why there’s so much bread on the ground far outweighs the desire to find the bread-shaped kitty. That said, the show must go on. 

Image courtesy of Afaflix/Reddit

On the edge of the bread pile towards the right lays a loaf of bread with feet. Oh, wait – that’s the cat we’re meant to be looking for. At last, this kitty cat has found others that look just like him. 

Spider Dog

The most concerning part about this post is that we’re supposed to find a dog, but the camera is not pointed at the ground. That means he must be hiding somewhere along the wall. What are they feeding the dogs in Israel?

Image courtesy of adale_50/Reddit

To give you a hint, the doggo is on the left of the white sign. He’s sticking his head through a hole in the wall with half his body hanging out of it. It’s not a place you would expect to see a dog. 

Finding Nemo

The ocean is a miraculous place. It is filled with astonishing sea creatures and marine plants. It just so happens that some of these creatures are proficient at blending in. Somewhere among these red vines hides a minute orange fish. 

Image courtesy of blackbadger0/Reddit

One clue that gives this fishy away is its big eye. In the middle of one of the vines on the left lies the sly fish. As if its size didn’t make it hard enough to spot, its orangey-red appearance makes the task nearly impossible. 

What Owl?

As we previously saw, owls have superb camouflage skills. Their feathers resemble bark, which allows them to blend in seamlessly. The Eastern Screech-Owl, in particular, is known as a master of disguise, and judging by this photo, it’s no surprise.

Image courtesy of DeauxDeaux/Reddit

There’s no need to look further than the center. Try to look out for the outline of its body, ears, or eyes, which gives its location away. It might seem effortless now, but it’s extremely challenging to detect one in real life. 

Frogging Around

Finding a frog amongst hundreds of leaves is no easy task. This Cuban Tree Frog is hiding among the leaves of a Live Oak, which are the same color as the grey frog. When you find it, make sure you don’t pick it up because it’s slightly toxic!

Image courtesy of SongMonster

Don’t be fooled into seeing a frog everywhere you look. Instead, direct your attention to the bottom right of the photo. It’s bigger than you’d think but not so big that it’s obvious. If you’d like to see one in real life, you’ll find them in Florida, USA (surprise, surprise). 

‘Get to da choppa!’

This military helicopter took camo to a whole new level. Its sandy color blends in perfectly with the rocks in the background. However, the disguise isn’t very useful when the helicopter is in the air and making a loud noise in the sky.

Image courtesy of arcedup/Reddit

Once more, the helicopter is in the middle. Be vigilant of its thin blades and wheels since that could be helpful in the discovery. We think it is fair to say this chopper was never at risk of getting shot down. 

Car-mouflage

Whoever was responsible for polishing this car should receive a raise. It’s so shiny that, at first glance, you wouldn’t believe you’re staring at a car. Finding it took us longer than we’d like to admit. Who knew it was right in front of us the whole time? 

Image courtesy of MrRossyy/Reddit

Unfortunately, you can’t polish your tires and rims, which gives you a huge clue about where the car is. It’s taking up the entire right side of the screen. Hopefully, no one actually drives it on the road – it would cause mass confusion! 

Stealthy Spider

This is every arachnophobe’s worst nightmare. With a spider blending into the cake box, you could go for a slice of cake, not knowing what’s lurking between you and the sweet treat. It’s fair to say the cake belongs to the spider now!

Image courtesy of Kdj2j2/Reddit

Before you receive a hint, everyone afraid of spiders should move along. Now that all the scaredy cats are gone, you’ll find the arachnid in the bottom right corner. It’s waiting for its next victim by pretending it’s part of the leafy pattern. 

Concealed Beagle

To end this tiring game of ‘find the sniper,’ we thought we’d reward you with a cute doggo. However, you have to work to spot the camouflaged beagle. Luckily, it’s all worth it when you discover his cute head popping up. 

Image courtesy of Starsy/Reddit

It seems this giant pile of leaves is the pup’s favorite spot to play. His head and floppy ears are just barely visible above the middle of the photograph. We wouldn’t mind a camouflaging dog if it is as adorable as this one.