CUTE SQUIRRELS
WITH BIG CHEEKS
The squirrel you see in the picture below is the
ground squirrel, also called the squirrel with cheek
pouches. What distinguishes this squirrel species
from others is that it carries the food that it does
not consume right away in the pouches in its
cheeks. The squirrel stocks this food for future use.
These cheek pouches are actually loose folds of
skin. The interior lining of these folds is bare but not
wet, therefore food can be stored in these pouches for a
long time without spoiling. These pouches extend to the
sides.
W O N D E R F U L C R E A T U R E S
86
