We Now Praise Cheek Pouches

Cheek pouches are pockets on both sides of the mouth. They allow for rapid collection of food, but also serve as temporary storage and transport.  Some hamster moms can hide their young in their cheek pouches to carry them away from danger. Other species are known to fill their pouches with air to make them more buoyant while  swimming. Clearly everyone would be better with a cheek pouch, as this amazed song sparrow seems to express.