Wildlife officials in New York are giving the internet a reason to look twice — thanks to what’s now being called the Gray Fox Illusion.
On April 30, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) posted two curious trail cam images on Facebook. The first photo featured a fuzzy, low-to-the-ground animal next to a tree, which instantly sparked a flood of guesses.
“Wildlife is fascinating, entertaining, and occasionally deceiving,” the NYSDEC wrote. “Tell us what you see in the first image!”
The mystery critter had people scratching their heads. “Looks like a Capybara to me,” one user commented. Another chimed in with, “Definitely a baby hippo.”
But the truth? Much more ordinary — and sneakier.
Gray Fox Illusion Revealed by Experts
The second photo, a duplicate of the first with added arrows, helped clear things up. “You might’ve thought this was a pig at first glance,” the agency explained. “But on closer inspection, you’re actually seeing the rear end of a gray fox! The tail creates the illusion of a pig’s face.”
The Gray Fox Illusion works because of the animal’s posture. Its head is pointed down and out of sight, while its bushy tail — complete with a black stripe — mimics the look of a snout and eyes. That dark stripe is the main culprit behind the visual mix-up.
The NYSDEC encouraged followers to share the photos to see what others might guess, showing just how playful and misleading nature can be.
This isn’t the first time an animal optical illusion has made waves on Facebook. Back in October 2024, the Bristol Zoo Project posted an image of a strange “horned, winged creature” seen outside the zoo — which also turned out to be far less mythical than it first appeared.
Sometimes, nature doesn’t just hide — it plays tricks on us. The Gray Fox Illusion is a reminder to always look twice.
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Source: www.people.com
