What are cheek pouchs?

Cheek pouches are specialized sacs of skin and muscle that are found on the insides of the cheeks of some mammals, such as squirrels, hamsters, monkeys, gerbils, and kangaroo rats. These pouches serve as temporary storage sites for food, allowing the animals to carry food items back to their nests or burrows.

Cheek pouches are lined with fur or other soft tissue and are highly elastic, allowing them to stretch and expand as needed. The size of the cheek pouches varies depending on the species, but they can be quite large, capable of holding a substantial amount of food. Some species of squirrels, for example, can store up to 20 or more nuts in their cheek pouches.

When an animal wants to store food in its cheek pouch, it uses its tongue or paws to push the item into the pouch. The food is held in place by the muscles of the cheek pouch and the tightness of the opening. When the animal is ready to eat the food, it simply opens the pouch and takes it out.

Cheek pouches are a useful adaptation that helps these animals survive in the wild. They allow the animals to collect and store food, which they can then eat later when food is scarce. This is especially important for animals that live in environments where food is not always readily available or is in short supply.