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50 Things That Matched Their Surroundings So Well, They Made People Do A Double Take (New Pics)

50 Things That Matched Their Surroundings So Well, They Made People Do A Double Take (New Pics)

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If you think that you’ll ever encounter camouflage on the battlefield or deep in the jungle, you might not be quite right. There are plenty of optical illusions far closer to home. And they don’t require ghillie suits. All it takes is the right angle and lighting, and an animal, object, or person can blend right into their surroundings with near perfection.
Our team here at Bored Panda has traveled to the farthest reaches of the internet to compile this list of fantastic photos of accidental camouflage. They’re bound to make you do a double-take! Grab your binoculars, scroll down, and make sure to upvote your fave pics.

#1 I Painted At My Favorite Stream Today. I Think It Blends In Pretty Well

I Painted At My Favorite Stream Today. I Think It Blends In Pretty Well
378points

#2 Mother With A Calf

Mother With A Calf
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351points

#3 A Cat That Plays Too Many Stealth Games

A Cat That Plays Too Many Stealth Games
313points

The entire point of camouflage as a whole is to confuse the senses. People tend to rely very heavily on vision, so camouflage aims to hide someone or something with the help of fabric, paint, and patterns.

What colors and patterns end up being used on uniforms will depend a lot on the local terrain. For instance, shades of brown and yellow might be used in the desert, compared to browns and greens in wooded locales. Meanwhile, black, grey, and white will often be found on camo gear meant for snowy areas.

#4 My Brother Was Joking About How He Dresses Like A 5-Year-Old. Then He Found This

My Brother Was Joking About How He Dresses Like A 5-Year-Old. Then He Found This
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303points

#5 I Didn't Think I'd Actually Lose In A Hide A Seek Game With My Nephew. Told Him To Pose For A Pic

I Didn't Think I'd Actually Lose In A Hide A Seek Game With My Nephew. Told Him To Pose For A Pic
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265points

#6 Blessed Persian Carpet

Blessed Persian Carpet
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262points

It’s not just people that use camouflage. It’s an integral part of survival in the animal kingdom. Broadly speaking, there are three main categories of camouflage. The first one is called background matching, where animals have colors and patterns that match their surroundings.

#7 This Is Aspen. She’s Visiting A Friend’s House For Dinner, But After Seeing The Rug She Thinks It’s Time To Leave. 13/10 Would Start The Car

This Is Aspen. She’s Visiting A Friend’s House For Dinner, But After Seeing The Rug She Thinks It’s Time To Leave. 13/10 Would Start The Car
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261points

#8 Just A Mat, Nothing More

Just A Mat, Nothing More
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261points

#9 My Shirt Perfectly Camouflages Me In This Bed Of Flowers

My Shirt Perfectly Camouflages Me In This Bed Of Flowers
255points

With background matching, animals are harder for predators to spot. That means that they survive longer and can end up passing their genes down more effectively because they have more time to breed. Chameleons, for instance, are legendary for their ability to change their color to match their surroundings.

#10 My Handsome Boy Using Camouflage At The Vet

My Handsome Boy Using Camouflage At The Vet
253points

#11 I'm Waiting To Bloom

I'm Waiting To Bloom
245points

#12 Had No Idea My Wife Was Partly Dog

Had No Idea My Wife Was Partly Dog
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227points

The second type of camo is known as disruptive coloration. It’s a tad sneakier. Essentially, it breaks up the outline of the animal’s body, making it more difficult for predators to home in on them.

One example of this would be how stripes work on a zebra’s fur. Some animals, however, go the route of mimicry, where they imitate another animal or an inanimate object. Stick insects, (obviously) look like sticks.

#13 Guy Learning To Snowboard

Guy Learning To Snowboard
220points

#14 Almost Sat On My Dog Accidentally

Almost Sat On My Dog Accidentally
218points

#15 Strangely Satisfying

Strangely Satisfying
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215points

However, nobody should think that camouflage somehow perfectly defends a person or an animal. That would be a huge mistake to make. It’s far better than nothing, but predators have evolved ways to spot their prey better.

Some animals might be able to see into different spectrums, for example. Meanwhile, leaps and bounds in technology mean that people are constantly finding new ways to find what others try to hide.

#16 This Levitating Dirt Bike

This Levitating Dirt Bike
209points

#17 A Snowy Owl And An Owl Made Of Snow

A Snowy Owl And An Owl Made Of Snow
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208points

#18 A Very Hairy Wedding Dress

A Very Hairy Wedding Dress
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207points

Some predators have camouflage of their own to make sneaking easier and their hunts more successful. Tigers blend in with the tall grass thanks to their stripes. Octopuses change their texture and color to match their surroundings, avoid predators, and hunt their prey.

Meanwhile, polar bears have white fur, meaning that they blend into the snowy background of the Arctic. Polar bears’ skin is actually black and their hairs are translucent, so they appear white because of how they reflect the light. 

#19 The Void Has Such A Good Camouflage. So Many Potential Pounce Places

The Void Has Such A Good Camouflage. So Many Potential Pounce Places
198points

#20 Parent's Dog On The Nearly Identical Rug

Parent's Dog On The Nearly Identical Rug
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194points
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