Do you know about Hamster cheek pouches? You have already seen your hamster, his face deformed by an excessive expansion of his cheeks. Do not be mistaken. He does not puff out his cheeks to surprise you, worry you or even make you laugh, but rather because he is carrying his food.

In fact, the cheek pouches are the two pouches found on each side of the hamster's head and which are physiologically located between the hamster's cheek and jaw. These bags are a bit like its lunch box since their main function is to allow the hamster to transport its food to a place it considers safe and where it can store it and consume it in peace and away from predators. This way of accumulating and temporarily storing food in its cheek pouches is completely natural in the wild life of the hamster since it is a prey of choice for several animal species. Nevertheless, it knows how to maintain this behavior, even in captivity.

The cheek pouches are impressive because they can extend from the mouth to the shoulders. It is said that the hamster can accumulate up to 18 g of food there, which is still a lot for a small animal whose weight varies on average from 90 to 150 grams for standard breeds. They are even large enough to allow them to hide and carry their young, in dangerous situations. Nature does things well, doesn't it?

So, when you see your hamster filling his cheek pouches, tell yourself that it is a natural way for him to protect himself from his predators, even if with you, these dangers do not persist. Have fun watching him afterwards, heading towards his pantry in order to build up real reserves there, in case there are more difficult days…

Sophie Gauthier, agr
General Manager Nature Division Bélisle