TEST your eyesight and challenge your brain by seeing if you can spot the badger hidden among a sea of zebras.
This mind-boggling optical illusion is more challenging than meets the eye, but if you can find the badger in 10 seconds or less, you may have a higher IQ than your average puzzle enthusiast.
This optical illusion, created by BBC Earth, is especially tricky.
Even eagle-eyed viewers will have trouble finding another hidden animal amidst a sea of zebras.
Of course, to make things even more difficult, staring at this black-and-white image for too long may strain your eyes.
Some viewers started seeing double as they looked for the badger, while others reported blurred vision.
In the worst-case scenarios, staring at the image for too long made finding that pesky badger even more difficult, as the zebras’ stripes started blending together.
Still, just glancing at the image isn’t enough for most viewers to solve this tricky visual teaser.
Even some puzzle aficionados were stumped when asked to find the badger, claiming it just simply wasn’t in the photo.
And, finding it in 10 seconds or less presents even more of a challenge, with viewers racing against the clock.
Are you baffled?
Or are you willing to trudge on, and not quite ready to admit defeat?
Here’s a hint: focus your attention on the top half of the photo.
If you still can’t find the hidden badger, we’ll give you one more hint below.
The badger is located somewhere on the lefthand side of the photo.
Now that you know where to focus your attention on – top half, lefthand side – it should be a breeze to find the badger.
Were you able to find it?
Benefits of brainteasers and optical illusions
Researchers have developed many tests to show how various brain regions react to brainteasers and optical illusions. There are many benefits.
- They are not only entertaining, but they also shed light on how our brains interpret visual data.
- By giving your brain a little workout regularly, you enhance your ability to focus and observe details.
- Studies have shown people who regularly challenge themselves with optical illusions and puzzles see big improvements in their problem-solving skills, concentration, and attention.
- Improved concentration and attention span can help prevent cognitive decline in old age.
- Optical illusions can improve eyesight by allowing you to see small print.
Or, are you ready to admit that this optical illusion stumped your senses?
If you weren’t able to find the badger, or are growing frustrated at yourself, don’t worry!
It’s possible to train your eyesight – and your brain – to become better at optical illusions over time.
While you can’t eliminate them entirely, you can become less influenced by optical illusions over time.
Optical illusions aren’t just fun and games, they also reflect how our brains operate.
There are a few easy techniques to try to enhance your skillset – and become less immune to the power of these visual tricks.
First, try focusing on the center of an optical illusion.
At first glance, it’s not unusual for most viewers to quickly scan an image, hoping something – like that hidden badger – to jump out at them.
However, resisting that urge can help your brain from making any sudden “decisions” and will help with the overall task at hand.
This is especially helpful for illusions triggered by eye movements, or visuals that appear to move if you stare at them for a little too long.
The science behind optical illusions
This brief explanation may help to unscramble your brain...
- Optical illusions make a little bit more sense when you learn that our eyes have very little to do with what we see and it is our brains that play the key role in creating images and trying to protect us from the potential threats around us
- Our brain is constantly trying to make sense of the world at the quickest pace it can despite the world being in 3D and the images on our retinas being in 2D
- It can be really difficult for your brain to interpret everything at once so it will often take shortcuts and give you a simplified version of what you see so you can have quicker reaction times if the object you’re looking at looks dangerous
- When you look at an object what you’re really seeing is the light that bounced off of it and entered your eye, which is converted into electrical impulses that your brain then turns into an image
- Our brains can warp straight lines if an object in the middle of them looks like it’s drawing closer as it wants to emphasize the potential threat
- Different colours and light and dark can make the same sized objects look different or make patterned images look like they’re spinning
Another trick to outwit a visual brainteaser is through concentration.
Block out any external noises, images, or other distractions, and focus solely on the picture – and task – at hand.
And above all else, don’t stress!
Optical illusions are specifically designed to trick your brain into seeing or not seeing certain visuals.
Completing a couple of optical illusions per day may not keep the doctor away, but like any workout – physical or mental – you will be able to perform “better” over time.
Alright, now back to finding that hidden badger.
We’ve included the answer to this optical illusion below.
The hidden badger was hiding in plain sight all along.
It’s located near the top lefthand side of the image, just underneath the second zebra from the left.
Were you able to spot the hidden badger?
If so, congratulations!
And, if you managed to do it in 10 seconds or less, kudos!
You may have a higher IQ than the average person – or be especially adept at visual brainteasers.
Optical illusions aren’t just a fun activity to pass the time – they also give your brain a great mental workout.
There are also plenty of optical illusions online to solve in the future.
Check out the one below – can you find the missing banknote?
The missing bill is hidden somewhere among a sea of green-and-white receipts.
Here’s a major hint: It’s located near the bottom right of the photo.
Whether you managed to find the banknote or not, try your hand – or rather, your eyes – at another optical illusion.
Everyone can see the dog and cat in the photo below – and many pet owners can relate to the mess these two have caused.
However, if you can spot the solitary clear bowl in the photo, you may have 20/20 vision.
And, if you can do it in seven seconds or less, you likely have a higher IQ than the average Joe.
Have you given up?
We’ll offer you one major hint.
The bowl is somewhere in the top left of the photo.
If you still can’t find it, direct your attention to the lefthand side of the couch.
Here’s one more brainteaser that’s a step above the rest.
This time, you must find a diamond in the rough, or rather, a diamond hidden amongst a sea of pearls.
This one can be especially difficult, given that all the precious gems come in various sizes, colors, and levels of bling.
If you’re having trouble finding the flashy stone, focus your attention on the lower half of the image.
Do you need another hint?
The diamond is located somewhere near the bottom lefthand side of the photo.
