SOLVING this nature-based puzzle could mean you have great eyesight.
A hiding animal makes this optical illusion even more challenging.
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You might have 20/20 vision if you can spot a creature hiding in nature within six seconds (stock photo)Credit: Getty
Photographer David Northcott captured the wonder of nature with its skillful mask.
He specified that the creature had been spotted in the trees of southern Arizona.
It was identified as a long-tailed lizard.
The image is enlarged on the bark of a tree, with several green leaves branching out.
WILD WEST
The lizard, Urosaurus graciosus, is native to the American Southwest, according to the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The California Department of Fish and Wildlife explains that its defense mechanism is a master of disguise, blending seamlessly into brown or gray environments.
“These lizards spend their days and nights in bushes and thickets of grass,” experts say.
“They can match the color to the background and depend on encryption rather than a physical cover for protection.”
Crypsis refers to camouflaging oneself in one’s surroundings as opposed to hiding one’s self in secret.
HIDING IN PLAIN
Because these lizards are so good at hiding, there isn’t much data on how many exist in the wild.
You have 20-20 vision if you can spot a tiny lizard crawling across a stick in just 17 seconds–
“These lizards spend most of their time in bushes or thickets of grass, rarely coming down to the ground,” says the California agency.
“They prefer desert flats with some sand in the substrate and various types of shrubs.”
A defense mechanism is common among smaller animals to protect themselves from prey.
The grayish hue of the long-tailed lizard makes it a perfect candidate for hiding in plain sight among tree bark.
Due to its secretive nature, not much is known about how it lays its eggs, but it is thought to make nests in the ground nearby.
DON’T REMOVE A MUSCLE
To make them even harder to spot, they are not particularly active until the warmer months arrive.
Lizards try to remain as calm as possible, waiting for smaller prey to approach them.
Their diet consists of small insects and spiders, with the occasional vegetable side dish.
The long-tailed lizard watches out for larger snakes, which might target them for a meal.
If you still have trouble finding the creature, take a closer look at the bark of a tree branch, see if it has a face and a characteristically long tail.
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The long-tailed lizard is known for its ability to camouflage in the American Southwest (photo)Credit: Getty
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education