Optical illusions have recently sent the internet into a tizzy, as they get our brain to exercise, and can be the perfect test of our observational skills and keen eye. They are also super fun to solve, and can be the perfect recipe for a bored evening! An optical illusion is actually a visual phenomenon where the brain misinterprets what the eyes perceive. It occurs when the information sent by the eyes conflicts with how the brain processes and understands what it sees. These illusions often trick us into seeing things that are not there, or perceiving objects differently from reality. For example, a still image might appear to move, or two shapes may seem unequal in size even though they are identical.Can you spot the frog?This image was shared on Reddit by the user, “No_Feed_9708”, and includes dry, arid topography, with lots of foliage. It has been simply captioned, “Find the frog.” The user further explained, “Found this picture in my camera roll and did not remember why I took it until I looked at the pictures from that day. It was when I found a tiny frog.” He then challenges the audience to find a sneaky frog somewhere in the picture. Can you guess where is it? But there is a catch. You just have 10 seconds to find it. Ready, steady, go!The revealGive up? Many users tried to find the frog. One said, “Up and left of the foot, there is a dandelion plant, just above it.” The right answer is that the frog is located somewhat in the centre,1/3rd from the left. To catch it, you will have to zoom the image.Types of optical illusionsThere are three main types of optical illusions:Literal Illusions: These occur when the brain combines elements of an image to create something that doesn’t exist. For example, an image might look like two faces or a vase depending on how you interpret it.Physiological Illusions: These are caused by overstimulation of the visual system, such as excessive exposure to light, movement, or color. They can create effects like afterimages or motion illusions.Cognitive Illusions: These rely on how the brain subconsciously interprets information. Examples include illusions like the Müller-Lyer illusion, where lines appear longer or shorter due to surrounding shapes.
