This is the moment a polar bear’s head appears to be separate from its body as it munches on a treat at a Chinese zoo.

The optical illusion, caused by the bending of light as it passes from one transparent object to another, was filmed by a visitor at Haichang Ocean Park in the Chinese megacity of Shanghai on 7th March.

In the footage, the polar bear is seen standing on the aquarium floor in water up to its neckline while tucking into food.

Meanwhile, due to the light refraction, the animal’s furry body appears to be around a metre to the left of its head, seen above the water surface.

The polar bear then finishes its food and dives under the water for a swim where it is seen in one piece again.

A common example of light refraction is when rainbows are formed due to the bending of the sun’s rays as they enter raindrops.