Ready to put your brain through a bit of a workout? There’s a new visual puzzle doing the rounds online, and it’s driving people slightly mad — in the best possible way. Hidden in a charming, old-fashioned drawing are eight sneaky rabbits, and your mission is to find them all. Sounds easy? You might want to think again.
You’ve got 20 seconds. That’s it. Twenty tiny ticks of the clock to spot every long-eared trickster tucked away in the scene. Most people manage to find four or five before giving up. But if you can spot all eight, experts say your IQ and observation skills are well above average.
Why everyone loves a good optical illusion
These kinds of visual challenges have become wildly popular in recent years — a mix of nostalgia and brain training that appeals to puzzle lovers of all ages. Psychologists from Stanford University note that solving visual riddles helps improve attention span, pattern recognition and even short-term memory.
There’s also something oddly satisfying about them. Much like the classic “Where’s Wally?” books, each picture hides a world of detail. You scan, squint, and second-guess yourself, convinced that the last rabbit must be hiding in plain sight. It’s part detective work, part self-test, and a little bit of pure stubbornness.
And let’s be honest — who doesn’t enjoy that moment of triumph when you finally spot what everyone else missed?
A hunt for the hidden hares
Here’s the setup: in the centre of the image, a man appears to be out hunting. Around him, nature blends into a blur of branches, rocks and fences — but somewhere in that picturesque chaos, eight rabbits are tucked away.
A few might be obvious: one perched by the fence, another crouching near the ground. But others are true masters of disguise. Two blend into the stone wall, another hides cleverly in the shadow near the hutch, while a few have been worked so seamlessly into the man’s clothing that most people overlook them completely.
It’s a delightful test of focus. You have to slow down, let your eyes wander, and allow your brain to piece the clues together. As researchers from the University of Cambridge explain, illusions like this exploit the brain’s tendency to “fill in” missing information — a process that’s part of what makes them so tricky to solve.
The genius test
So, how many did you spot? If you found all eight rabbits without hints or help, you’ve got the kind of visual intelligence and perseverance usually reserved for artists, detectives, and professional problem-solvers. If you only found five or six, don’t worry — you’re still ahead of most people.
The real takeaway isn’t how fast you find them, but how deeply you look. These puzzles remind us to slow down, pay attention, and rediscover the quiet joy of noticing small details — something that feels rare in our fast-scrolling world.
So, next time you stumble upon one of these viral optical illusions, don’t scroll past. Grab a friend, set a timer, and give it a go. Because whether you spot eight rabbits or only a few, you’re training your brain — and having a bit of fun in the process.
