Do animals fall for optical illusions? It’s complicated.

The article explores whether animals, like humans, are subject to optical illusions. The findings suggest that the answer is not straightforward. Researchers have found that some animals, such as guppies, are highly susceptible to the Ebbinghaus illusion, where a central circle appears smaller or larger depending on the size of surrounding circles. However, other animals, like ring doves, do not seem to be affected by this illusion. The article suggests that the ability to perceive optical illusions may be linked to the specific cognitive abilities and visual processing mechanisms of different species. Factors such as the complexity of an animal's visual system, its ecological niche, and its evolutionary history may all play a role in determining its susceptibility to optical illusions. The article highlights the ongoing research in this field and the importance of understanding how different animals perceive their visual environment, which can provide insights into the evolution of visual perception and cognition.