You'll have above-average IQ if you can spot all the animals hidden in this brainteaser

If you can spot all eight hidden creatures in this picture, you're a certified genius. Brainteasers and optical illusions like this one are a great way to test your critical thinking skills and attention to detail, with those who find them easiest said to have seriously impressive eyesight and intellect.

But testing your IQ isn't the only reason to tackle mental challenges like this regularly - they can also have some really positive effects on your health. In fact, a study has shown that regular puzzling can help stave off the cognitive impacts of ageing.

Not only that, but solving illusions or puzzles can give you a dopamine boost, literally making you happier - and not just when you beat mates' and family members' solve times. This brainteaser is a tough one: there are eight animals tucked away in the image, inside the bear, which everyone can see.

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But, only those with high IQs are said to be able to see the other seven inside the bear - scroll down to see how many you can spot in the image.

This category of puzzle is known as a literal optical illusion, meaning two or more images are merged into one. There are two other primary types of optical illusions: cognitive, which frequently present conflicting information, and physiological, which bombard the brain with shapes, lights, or colours - or sometimes all three simultaneously.

According to Big Think: "Scientifically, literal optical illusions offer insight into the nature of human perception. This became evident when one researcher discovered that when studying one containing two images in one, what people first noticed differed based on their age and that some took only a few seconds before they saw both, while others struggled for minutes, if not hours."

Look away now if you still need more time to solve this puzzle. If you're ready to check your answers, however, by all means, read on.

In this puzzle, a polar bear gazes off towards the right, and you might readily spot a few other creatures within him - especially the bigger ones, but there are some smaller animals hidden away that are expertly camouflaged and so tiny in size they are incredibly easy to miss.

If you believe you have discovered them all, scroll down to see the solutions revealed, but if not, return to the top and really focus on the picture to see if you can locate any more.

The other creatures in the picture are a donkey, a reindeer, a turkey, a squirrel, a partridge, a robin, and a turtledove, also featured - with these final three quite challenging to spot due to their size.

Do you have a story to share? Email me at julia.banim@reachplc.com

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