How Many Kangaroos Do you See?

Here’s a question that seems easy at first—but surprises nearly everyone.

You’re looking at a picture filled with kangaroos. They’re cute, cartoonish, and seemingly identical. But there’s a catch: some of them are hiding friends in clever ways. Your mission is simple—count how many kangaroos you can actually see.

Sounds easy? Give it a try.

Take a moment, examine the image carefully, and come up with your best guess. Then scroll down to see if your eyes are as sharp as you think.

Why This Puzzle Is Trickier Than It Looks

Most people glance at the image and say, “There are nine kangaroos.” That’s because we instinctively count the large, obvious figures. But this visual puzzle is all about attention to detail—and that’s where things get interesting.

Some of the kangaroos have joeys in their pouches, while others have baby kangaroos hidden in more unusual spots like behind ears or tucked into the background. These hidden elements are easy to miss if you’re not paying close attention.

What makes this even harder is that all the large kangaroos look exactly the same. Your brain processes them quickly, assumes they’re identical, and moves on. That’s a common psychological shortcut called pattern recognition—and it’s exactly what this puzzle is designed to challenge.

Common Mistakes That Lead to the Wrong Answer

There are a few typical errors people make when trying to solve puzzles like this.

First, they rely on their first impression. We often trust our initial count and forget to double-check each character in the image.

Second, we tend to miss small or cleverly placed objects, especially when they’re designed to blend in with the bigger shapes. For example, a baby kangaroo’s ear might be hidden within the curve of a larger kangaroo’s body.

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Third, some players only count one kind of kangaroo—either the adults or the babies—but forget to include both in their final answer.

So if you counted only nine at first, you’re definitely not alone. But there’s more to uncover.

Step-by-Step Guide to Solving the Puzzle

Let’s now walk through the image carefully and count the kangaroos one section at a time.

Start at the top row. There are three large kangaroos.

  • The first kangaroo stands alone. That’s one.
  • The second kangaroo also stands alone. That makes two.
  • The third kangaroo has a visible joey popping out of the pouch. That’s two kangaroos in one frame. Total so far: four.

Move to the middle row.

  • The first kangaroo has three baby kangaroos surrounding it, plus the adult. That’s four more.
  • The second kangaroo shows a joey in the pouch. Two more.
  • The third kangaroo also has a joey in the pouch. Another two.

Now we’re at ten kangaroos from the top two rows.

Now on to the bottom row.

  • The first kangaroo is solo. That adds one more. We’re at eleven.
  • The middle kangaroo has two hidden joeys—one in the pouch and another peeking behind the ear. That gives us three kangaroos in total for this frame.
  • The final kangaroo on the right has a joey in the pouch. Add two more.

Now let’s tally up the final count:

  • Top row: 1 + 1 + 2 = 4
  • Middle row: 4 + 2 + 2 = 8
  • Bottom row: 1 + 3 + 2 = 6

Add them together: 4 + 8 + 6 = 18 kangaroos in total if we count every visible character.

However, based on the tick marks in the image, only the kangaroos clearly marked (both adults and visible joeys) are meant to be counted.

That gives us the official correct answer: 13 kangaroos.

Why We Miss the Hidden Kangaroos

What makes this puzzle such a great challenge is how it uses camouflage and positioning to trick our brains. Because the artist drew all the kangaroos in the same position, we scan the image quickly without noticing the small changes.

Also, we’re not trained to look inside a pouch or behind a character’s ear unless we’re told to. It’s the same principle magicians use—misdirection.

These small distractions lead your brain to overlook the very clues that lead to the real answer.

Let’s Hear From You

So now that you’ve seen the breakdown—how many kangaroos did you see at first?

Were you part of the “I saw 9” group, or did you manage to find all 13?

We’d love to know! Drop your answer in the comments section and share how long it took you. It’s always fun to see how different people approach the same puzzle.

Better yet, show the image to a friend or family member and ask them the same question: How many kangaroos do you see? Chances are, they’ll miss a few too!

Boost Your Brain with More Puzzles Like This

Visual puzzles aren’t just fun—they’re also an amazing workout for your brain.

Video : Kids Quiz : Guess the Animal from their Shadow 

When you solve challenges like this, you’re improving your:

  • Observation skills
  • Short-term memory
  • Pattern recognition
  • Problem-solving speed

Whether you’re solving logic games, optical illusions, or spot-the-difference puzzles, each one helps you train your mind to slow down, focus, and think more critically.

The best part? They’re a great break from screens, social media, and information overload. Instead of scrolling, you’re solving—and that’s time well spent.

Keep the Fun Going

Enjoyed this puzzle? There are plenty more waiting to be solved. The more you challenge yourself with these visual riddles, the better your brain becomes at recognizing what others might miss.

So keep playing, keep observing, and never stop asking the big question—even when it’s something as small as, “How many kangaroos do you see?”

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