24-07-2025
People left 'scared' after struggling to spot wild animal hiding in the forest
A photo of a mountainous forest area was shared on Reddit as users were asked to spot the large wild animal hiding within the snap - but some struggled to see it which made them 'terrified'
When you're out exploring the countryside or going on a hike, it's important to be aware of what wildlife might be lurking in the area, especially if there's anything that could pose a threat.
Mountain lions, also known as cougars, is a large small wild cat native to the North, Central, and South America. While some claim to have spotted similar big cats, including pumas, out in the wild, there's no credible evidence to suggest they are established in the wild. Despite this, it's still important to be on the lookout for any type of dangerous animal when you're walking in nature.
The National Park Service states that mountain lions are seldom encountered by people, even when trekking along isolated paths, as attacks on humans are "incredibly rare," the Mountain Lion Foundation confirms. Nevertheless, it's still handy to know when to keep your eyes peeled for them, given their exceptional ability to blend into their surroundings.
On Reddit, one user posted to the SpotTheSniper subreddit, sharing a picture of a mountainous woodland scene where the rear end of an unidentified, substantial creature can be spotted in the bottom left of the image.
However, there's apparently a second animal also concealed somewhere within the photograph.
"Find the Mountain Lion," they captioned the post alongside a picture where an animal appeared to be camouflaged within the scenery.
Users quickly flocked to the comments section to offer their theories, though some admitted the image made them appreciate just how terrifying mountain lions can be.
"It's pictures like these that remind me if I lived in mountain lion country, I'd be some big cat's dinner," one person commented.
In response to this, another individual said: "I did for a while and the expression was if you see one it's too late."
Where is the mountain lion hiding?
Yet, some sharp-eyed individuals have succeeded in spotting the mountain lion within the image, noticing its gaze fixed on the animal depicted, with its entire face in clear view – if you know just where to cast your eyes...
"By the base of the tree on the right side of the picture. He's above the big rock by the deer's(?) butt," someone helpfully indicated, sparking a debate over whether the creature in question was a deer, an elk, or even a donkey.
Another user chimed in: "Found big kitty by the tree on the right follow it down to the left side of tree's branches."
A third commenter, familiar with the presence of Mountain Lions, expressed their unease: "Having lived in an area where Mountain Lions are not unheard of, that has to be one of the most frightening sentences to hear(read)."
