Can YOU see the hidden silhouette? Optical illusion sends the internet into a frenzy as people try (and fail) to guess what it is

  • Savannah Root from Lamar, Missouri, shared the silhouette on Facebook
  • Thousands have been trying to see the image in black and white drawing
  • Post has been seen by more than 25,000 and 9,000 have commented
  • While some saw the correct outline straight away others were left stumped

An optical illusion has sent social media into a frenzy with thousands struggling to work out the image.

Savannah Root from Lamar, Missouri, shared the black drawing on Facebook last week and since then the image has received 26,000 likes, 4,500 shares and nearly 9,000 comments.

In the post, she wrote: 'I stared at this picture for an hour trying to figure out what it was.'

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Savannah Root from Lamar, Missouri, shared the black and white drawing on Facebook last week and since then the image has had 26,000 likes, 4,500 shares and nearly 8,500 comments

Savannah Root from Lamar, Missouri, shared the black and white drawing on Facebook last week and since then the image has had 26,000 likes, 4,500 shares and nearly 8,500 comments

She then invited others to post below about what they thought the image represented.

While some managed to spot the hidden silhouette of a cowboy straight away, many were left entirely stumped and thought the painting looked like a bat.

More obscure suggestions included a rat hanging upside down with wings, a bird carrying a baby and a penguin doing a wee.

Samantha JH wrote: 'Omg, so creepy! I was staring and staring at it thinking it was a bat upside down then turned away and looked back and BAM I see the man's face in a cowboy hat, half white, half black.'

Meanwhile, Stephen Foley asked: 'Is it a penguin doing a pee (male, obviously and licking his lips?'

Samuel Rea also guessed wrong: 'Bird carrying a baby.' 

Many were left stumped by the image after it was posted on Facebook and 9,000 people have commented

Many were left stumped by the image after it was posted on Facebook and 9,000 people have commented

But Louis Jones simply wrote: 'It looks like a black mess.'

Others were left frustrated by the image having not been able to work out what it was. 

Victoria MacRae wrote: 'I note that Savannah said not to say what it is once you got it but I'm so grateful for those who did. As interesting as this is, I don't have an hour to spend staring at one Facebook post, I really don't. So, thank you!' 

The red lines in this picture showed people who couldn't work out the image the correct way of viewing it

The red lines in this picture showed people who couldn't work out the image the correct way of viewing it

Some people spotted the cowboy straight away including Nathan Preshous, who said he spent half-an-hour staring at it as he wasn't expecting it to be so easy

Some people spotted the cowboy straight away including Nathan Preshous, who said he spent half-an-hour staring at it as he wasn't expecting it to be so easy

Jennifer Alexander said: 'I never would have seen it. I had to check the comments.'

And some people spotted it straight away, leaving them wondering what all the fuss was about.

Nathan Preshous said: 'Saw a cowboy straight away and spent half an hour looking for what it was supposed it be, turned out to be a cowboy.'

With the image causing such a stir online, a number of people started offering tips for those who were unable to see the figure in the drawing.

Barbara Topping wrote: 'Close your eyes and squint at it and it becomes clear.' 

Some people were left really frustrated by the image and others sought to offer tips on spotting the cowboy

Some people were left really frustrated by the image and others sought to offer tips on spotting the cowboy

Holly Spanjer suggested another technique: 'Place your hand over the dark side, you should be able to see it.'

This illusion is just the latest in a long line of puzzles and brain teasers that have taken the web by storm, showing just how little we know about how our brains work.

Yesterday, two hearts which appeared to be a different colour - one purple and the other a bright read - left people on social media stumped.

The hearts are, in fact, exactly the same hue - a vivid pink.

Yet another optical illusion has popped up on the internet proving just how little we know about how our brains work
These two hearts in the image appear to be totally different colours. One seems purple while the other is a bright orangey red

These two hearts in the image appear to be totally different colours. One appears purple while the other is a bright orangey red

In fact it is the placement of the geometric stripes that fools our brains into seeing something which isn't really there.

The narrator on the video from Bite Size Psych explains: 'If you zoom in on the picture you find that the striped bars aren't actually the same colour. 

'These surrounding blue bars make the heart seem purple while these surrounding green bars make the heart seem orange.'

This gives us a vital clue to how our vision works. It suggests that we perceive an object's colour based on its proximity and contrast with surrounding shades.

The video has so far amassed 29,000 views on YouTube. 

The narrator on the video from Bite Size Psych explains: 'If you zoom in on the picture you find that the striped bars aren't actually the same colour'

The narrator on the video from Bite Size Psych explains: 'If you zoom in on the picture you find that the striped bars aren't actually the same colour'

These surrounding blue bars make the heart seem purple while these surrounding green bars make the heart appear orange

These surrounding blue bars make the heart seem purple while these surrounding green bars make the heart appear orange

Meanwhile Tim Urban and Andrew Finn of the website butwaitwhy.com have created a fiendishly difficult puzzle based around three jelly beans. 

The premise of the brain teaser is that you have to choose to eat one of three jelly beans laid out on a stump, two of which are poisonous. 

'Two of the jelly beans on the stump are poisonous - you’ll die within 30 seconds of eating either one of them,' the riddle explains. 

'But one of the jelly beans isn’t poisonous and won’t harm you at all. All three of the jelly beans are delicious. The situation works like this: You pick one of the jelly beans and eat it, and if you happen to pick the non-poisonous one, you’re free to go.'

This gives us a vital clue to how our vision works. It suggests that we perceive an objects colour not based on its actual colour but on how it compares to the surrounding colours

This gives us a vital clue to how our vision works. It suggests that we perceive an objects colour not based on its actual colour but on how it compares to the surrounding colours

Three jelly beans are laid on a stump and you have to choose one to eat, but two of them are

Three jelly beans are laid on a stump and you have to choose one to eat, but two of them are poisonous and will kill you 

According to the riddle, you decide to pick up the green jelly bean. 

But just before you eat it, a man takes away the blue jelly bean explaining that it's definitely poisonous. 

That leaves the red one on the stump and the green one still in your hand. You get one last chance to change your mind about which one to take. 

You take the green jelly bean, leaving the red and blue 

You take the green jelly bean, leaving the red and blue 

Solving the riddle involves choosing between the red and green jelly beans - one of which is definitely poisonous. 

You might think that now it's down to two jelly beans that there's a 50-50 chance you have the poisonous one and decide to stick with green. 

In fact, it's twice as likely to poisonous and the red jelly bean is two thirds more likely to be safe.

'When you initially picked the green jelly bean, there was a 1/3 chance that it was the safe one to eat, and a 2/3 chance that it was poisonous and the safe one was still on the stump,' Tim Urban of Wait But Why explained. 

'When the man removed a poisonous blue jelly bean from the stump, it told you no new info about the green jelly bean in your hand—that still had a 1/3 chance of being safe. 

The blue jelly bean is taken away and you're told it's definitely poisonous. Should you swap with the red sweet or stick with the green?

The blue jelly bean is taken away and you're told it's definitely poisonous. Should you swap with the red sweet or stick with the green?

'But removing the blue jelly bean told you a lot about the red jelly bean—it told you that if the safe jelly bean had been on the stump, the red one is safe.

'Put another way, if you picked a poisonous jelly bean—which you would do two-thirds of the time—then choosing to switch after he removes one will save you every time. 

'If you picked the safe one to start off with—which happens one-third of the time—then switching will kill you. So switching is a good choice two-thirds of the time.'

The test is just the latest in a string of a popular brain teasers sweeping the net. 

Recently, puzzlers were challenged to find a hidden picture inside a red circle?

The brain teaser was said to test the internet's vision with people able to see everything from a detailed image to just an outline, while others struggled to spot anything at all.

Is your eyesight good enough to see the hidden picture inside this red circle? The brain teaser has appeared online quizzing internet users about whether they can see another shape hidden inside the red blob, above

Is your eyesight good enough to see the hidden picture inside this red circle? The brain teaser has appeared online quizzing internet users about whether they can see another shape hidden inside the red blob, above

While some claimed they could see the whole image in perfect detail, others were left scratching their heads in confusion.

When the dot is flipped you can clearly see a detailed sketch of a horse complete with a mane and tail, saddle and bridle and grass around its feet. 

Some people can only see the outline of the image before the red spot is flipped, while others say they can see much more. Try the test below to see how you get on.

While some claim they can see the whole image perfectly, others are completely baffled by the image
When the dot is flipped you can clearly see a detailed sketch of a horse complete with a mane and tail

While some claim they can see the whole image perfectly, others are completely baffled by the image. When the dot is flipped, right, you can clearly see a detailed sketch of a horse complete with a mane and tail

The online teaser shows how some people only see the outline of the horse rather than the other details in the picture such as the grass, mane, tail and saddle

The online teaser shows how some people only see the outline of the horse rather than the other details in the picture such as the grass, mane, tail and saddle

An image of an iPhone screen became an internet sensation recently as thousands of people deliberated over the photo, which was widely shared along with the question: 'How many threes can you see in this picture?'

Social networkers came up with the most common answers of either 15, 19 or 21. But which answer is correct?

There are in fact 19 number threes pictured in the image, but there could be 21 depending on how you interpret the question. 

Can you count how many threes are on the iPhone screen? If you see 15, 19 or 21 number threes, you have arrived at the same conclusion as the majority of social networkers... but what's the correct answer?

Can you count how many threes are on the iPhone screen? If you see 15, 19 or 21 number threes, you have arrived at the same conclusion as the majority of social networkers... but what's the correct answer?

Apart from the eight threes in the phone number, there are two threes on the key pad as the number eight button has been replaced. 

At 3.33pm, the time also contains three number threes and the battery power at 33 per cent contains another two.

That totals 15, the answer many social networkers have come to. On closer inspection, however, there are a further four hidden digits, totaling 19. 

Three of the letters in the contact's name have been replaced with threes and the letter 'I' on the number four key has also been replaced.

But many online posts give the answer to be 21, with people seeming convinced that there are a further two threes in the image. The differing opinions come down to the interpretation of the question. Many users have included the bar signal and the wifi signal, both of which show three bars. But whether 19 or 21 is the correct answer is a matter of opinion

But many online posts give the answer to be 21, with people seeming convinced that there are a further two threes in the image.

The differing opinions come down to the interpretation of the question. The images has been widely shared on Facebook and Twitter with the message. 'How many threes do you see in this picture?'

Many users have included the network bar and WiFi signal, both of which show three bars. But whether 19 or 21 is the correct answer is a matter of opinion.

The puzzle, which has been widely shared on Facebook and Twitter after resurfacing again online, has instigated heated debate - with many left flummoxed at how others arrive at a different answer.

Twitter user Dani posted: 'This thing annoyed the hell out of me when someone said 21. I was like no there's 18 until I looked again properly haha.'

How many threes can you see? Apart from the eight threes in the phone number, there are two threes on the key pad as the number eight button has been replaced. At 3.33pm, the time also contains three number threes and the battery power at 33 per cent contains another two. Three of the letters in the contact's name have been replaced with threes and the letter 'I' on the number four key has also been replaced

How many threes can you see? Apart from the eight threes in the phone number, there are two threes on the key pad as the number eight button has been replaced. At 3.33pm, the time also contains three number threes and the battery power at 33 per cent contains another two. Three of the letters in the contact's name have been replaced with threes and the letter 'I' on the number four key has also been replaced

Facebook Ravi Vidyadhar Pathak came to a grander total and said: '28 if it's saying to count everything that resembles to 3 including the network signal which is 3 dots the page info on left which is 3 the buttons having 3 letters ABC.'

Another philosophical Facebook user Marc Joseph posted: 'I see only 2....and technically am correct cause you never asked how many 3's are there in the pic.'

Athene Whitfield finally concluded the answer was 19 but had made so many previous guesses she posted: 'I got to that in the end but thought - I can't send an answer through again!!? Was getting embarrassed!'

One user by the name of Sarah was so involved in the problem she posted a mock-up of the screen with the potential answers highlighted in purple. 

When a friend posted 'Not sure where you get 20 from' she posted: 'Now I'm not sure.' 

It follows an optical illusion poster featuring tigers that resurfaced online this week, asking viewers to guess how many animals it featured.

On close inspection the picture has the big cats hiding in the bushes, bark and even the sky.

The image, which appears to have been produced as a poster, has two adults tigers and their two cubs in the foreground.

After that it becomes trickier to track down the felines in the picture but there are 12 other tiger faces hidden.

The image appears to have been used as a poster but has resurfaced on the internet 

The image appears to have been used as a poster but has resurfaced on the internet 

The puzzle has the big cats hidden in foliage, trees and even the ground with all 16 very difficult to find

The puzzle has the big cats hidden in foliage, trees and even the ground with all 16 very difficult to find

In the foliage to the right of the tigers, there's a fern in the shape of a tiger's face, with two hiding in the dirt beneath the tigers' feet.

In the top of the picture, there are five feline faces hidden within the branches of the trees.

While another two are seen in the wide trunk of the tree on the left of the picture and another tiger is face is seen on the left behind it and the last one is hidden in the soil below. 

The poster, which features 16 in total, appears to be aimed at children, like many of the logic puzzles which have stormed the internet recently.

Another recent brain teaser saw a children's picture with tourists at a holiday campsite and challenged them to answer a list of nine questions.

The image is thought to be from an old children's magazine, according to The Independent, but the tough questions are likely to also leave adults scratching their heads.

A recent challenge which baffled the internet is a logic puzzle from an old children's magazine that involves studying a picture of tourists at a holiday camp site and answering a list of nine questions

A recent challenge which baffled the internet is a logic puzzle from an old children's magazine that involves studying a picture of tourists at a holiday camp site and answering a list of nine questions

Which way is the windsock facing? Seemingly innocent features provide clues
Does this sign reveal how many people are staying at the campsite?

A series of clues is provided by the apparently calm scene involving boys at a campsite

The black and white drawing showed three people at the campsite. One is standing by the cooking pot with a ladle, another is rifling through his backpack, and a third is taking photos.  

A sign nailed to a tree states said: 'On duty. Colin, 7. Peter, 8. James, 9'. The final name is obscured, but the number 10 is visible.

CAN YOU SOLVE THE PUZZLE BY ANSWERING THESE QUESTIONS?

1. How many tourists are staying at this camp?

2. When did they arrive: today or a few days ago?

3. How did they get here?

4. Is there a town nearby?

5. Where does the wind blow from: north or south?

6. What time of day is it?

7. Where did Alex go?

8. Who was on duty yesterday?

9. What date is it today? 

*Scroll down for answers 

A picnic blanket with four plates, four spoons and a watermelon is laid out on the ground and a hen is scratching in the grass nearby.

Nearby, a tent is pitched and a spider has built a cobweb between the edge of the tent and a nearby tree. 

The first question asks how many people are staying at the camp.

They must also figure out whether they arrived that day or a few days earlier, how they got there and how far away the closest town is. 

In addition, they are asked whether the wind is blowing from north or south and what time of day it is. 

The next question is to state where someone called Alex went.

Finally, they must figure out who was on duty yesterday and what day of the week it is. 

Unlike the many cartoons that have swept the web in recent months challenging users to spot figures hidden in a sea animals or Star Wars characters, this puzzle relies on deduction.

The answer to how many tourists there are is relatively easy to figure out. 

As there are four spoons and plates on the blanket and four names on the duty list, the answer is quite obvious.  

Hungarian cartoonist Gergely Dudas, also known as Dudolf, posted his latest puzzle a few days ago to celebrate Easter, challenging fans to find an egg cleverly disguised alongside a group of bunnies

Hungarian cartoonist Gergely Dudas, also known as Dudolf, posted his latest puzzle a few days ago to celebrate Easter, challenging fans to find an egg cleverly disguised alongside a group of bunnies

The egg is cunningly disguised between a pair of white rabbit ears in the second row on the left hand side 

The egg is cunningly disguised between a pair of white rabbit ears in the second row on the left hand side 

The cobweb gives a clue to when the group arrived as it must have been a few days earlier to give the spider time to build it. 

An oar leaning up against the tree is the key to figuring out how they got there - by boat. 

The hen indicates that the nearest town is not far away as it's managed to wander into the campsite. 

A flag on the tent, known as a windsock, shows that the wind is blowing from the south, but to figure this out you need to be aware that branches on the southern side of trees in the UK get more sun and grow more densely. 

ANSWERS TO THE CAMP RIDDLE 

1. There are four tourists

four spoons on the picnic blanket and four names on the duty list.

2. They arrived a few days ago

A spider's web has appeared between their tent and a tree in that time.

3. They got there by boat

Note the oars by the tree.

4. No, a village is not far

..because there's a chicken wandering around.

5. The wind is blowing from the south

A flag that shows the wind direction is on top of the tent. (To tell which direction is which, look at the branches - they're normally bigger on the southern side of trees - if you're in the Northern Hemisphere.) 

6. It’s morning

Take the answer from question five to figure out east and west then work out the time based on the shadows.

7. Alex is catching butterflies

His net is behind the tent.

8. Colin was on duty yesterday

Colin is rummaging through his backpack (marked with a 'c'); Alex is catching butterflies; James is taking photos as his tripod can be seen sticking out of his bag. This leaves Peter - then, according to the list, that means Colin was on duty yesterday.

9. Today is August 8th...

According to the list, Peter is on duty, and there is a watermelon - which ripen in August - on the ground.

To figure out the time, you need to use the previous answer which tells you south from north to figure out where is east and west and deduce the time based on shadows.

The answer is that it's morning because the boy by the cook pot's shadow extends to the west. 

Because we're asked where Alex went, we can assume he's not visible in the picture. However a butterfly net can be seen behind the tent. So the answer is that he's gone to catch butterflies. 

To figure out who was on duty yesterday first consider that Colin, Peter, James and Alex are staying at the camp. 

Gergley's original spot the panda puzzle left the internet baffled at Christmas 2015

Gergley's original spot the panda puzzle left the internet baffled at Christmas 2015

The original Where's Wally-style snowmen picture was liked by 42,000 people and shared 100,000 times within days, with many struggling to find the panda at all

The original Where's Wally-style snowmen picture was liked by 42,000 people and shared 100,000 times within days, with many struggling to find the panda at all

Dudolf followed up the panda puzzle days later with another picture posted online, this time of a cat hidden among dozens of brightly coloured owls

Dudolf followed up the panda puzzle days later with another picture posted online, this time of a cat hidden among dozens of brightly coloured owls

He planted a few red herrings in the owl picture like a colourful bow tie and festive hats, but the owl's facial features make it particularly difficult to spot the cat

He planted a few red herrings in the owl picture like a colourful bow tie and festive hats, but the owl's facial features make it particularly difficult to spot the cat

We know that Alex is catching butterflies and the person taking photos must be James, as there's a tripod sticking out of the bag marked J.

The person looking through the backpack is Colin as it's marked with a C. 

That means Peter must be the one standing by the cooking pot. If Peter is on duty today, then according to the list on the tree Colin was on duty yesterday. 

Figuring out the day of the month isn't too tricky as according to the duty list it's the 8th of the month. 

But establishing what month it is may prove rather more difficult. The solution lies in the watermelon on the picnic blanket. 

The answer is August 8, but you would have to be aware that it's the month in which watermelons ripen to find the correct answer.

Its long list of questions makes the puzzle even more baffling than a challenge by Gergely Dudas who first drove the internet mad trying to find a panda among a group of snowmen, and a cat blended into rows of owls.

The Hungarian cartoonist posted his latest puzzle a few days ago to celebrate Easter, challenging fans to find an egg cleverly disguised alongside a group of bunnies.

The panda craze was followed up by Reddit contributor, with the username Oneste, who created a mind-boggling puzzle in which he hid a panda amongst rows and rows of Stormtroopers - and TIE fighter pilots

The panda craze was followed up by Reddit contributor, with the username Oneste, who created a mind-boggling puzzle in which he hid a panda amongst rows and rows of Stormtroopers - and TIE fighter pilots

The black and white Star Wars image made it especially tricky to find the panda

The black and white Star Wars image made it especially tricky to find the panda

 

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