Snakes swirl in blink (and jump) of an eye

Illusion emerges after tiny ocular movements

Tiny eye movements and blinking can make perfectly frozen snakes appear to dance, a new study shows. The results help explain the mystery of how the Rotating Snakes illusion tricks the brain.

Blinking and short, jumpy eye movements explain why stationary snakes appear to move in the Rotating Snakes illusion.