Do All Squirrels Have Cheek Pouches?

Squirrels store food for the winter by gathering it up in safe hiding places. Sometimes, this means bringing it inside your home and storing it in an out-of-the-way nook or cranny. Squirrel removal in Coquitlam also involves clearing away their winter stores. Some squirrels have the remarkable ability to store food in special pouches in their cheeks to transport it from one place to another. 

Do All Squirrels Have Cheek Pouches?

Cheek pouches are not common to all squirrel species. Flying squirrels, which do not actually fly but glide, do not have cheek pouches, perhaps because it would make them less aerodynamic. Tree squirrels, recognizable by their thick, bushy tails, do not have cheek pouches either. Ground squirrels, which do not climb trees but burrow under the earth, have cheek pouches that allow them to temporarily store food while they are foraging and transport it back to their winter stores. 

Why Do Ground Squirrels Have Cheek Pouches?

Ground squirrels go out foraging for food on a daily basis. They are omnivorous, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. Squirrels eat insects and caterpillars, as well as bird eggs, toads, and frogs if they can get them. They do not store these in their cheek pouches but eat them right away.  Squirrels also eat plant materials, such as roots and plants, as well as seeds and nuts. Some of the food they eat right away, but some are placed in their cheek pouches to save for later. When the squirrel is done foraging, it will return to its burrow, where it has a special area set aside for food storage. The squirrel will then remove the food from its cheek pouch and keep it for the winter when food is scarce. In this way, a squirrel's cheek pouches function a little bit like reusable grocery bags, allowing it a convenient way to get the food it gathers back home. 

How Much Food Can Ground Squirrels Carry in Their Cheek Pouches?

Ground squirrels can carry approximately half their body weight in their cheek pouches. However, the actual amount of food they can fit into the pouches depends on their size and type. Acorns are fairly large, and squirrels may only be able to carry one or two in each pouch. Sunflower seeds are smaller, so more may fit in the pouches. 

How Do Ground Squirrels Get Food Back Out of Their Cheek Pouches?

Ground squirrels have a special muscle that attaches behind the front teeth in the top jaw. This muscle connects the cheek pouch to the skull. When contracted, the muscle squeezes the cheek pouch, pushing the food out of the pouch and back into the mouth. From there, the squirrel can place the food into its storage area. 

What Are the Benefits of Having Cheek Pouches?

Having cheek pouches for short-term storage of food allows the ground squirrel to collect and carry more food at one time. It doesn't have to interrupt its foraging to carry the food that it finds back to its burrow. Cheek pouches also make transporting food easier. Squirrels can't really walk on two legs, so it would be impossible for them to carry food in their front paws, and carrying it in their mouths would be awkward for ground squirrels.

Where Do Squirrels Hide Their Food?

Squirrels store food for winter where it will be most accessible to them later. That means that ground squirrels store it in the burrows. Tree squirrels may hide food in trees or bury it underground. They may also hide food in human homes. They are very clever at finding hiding places for their food stores, such as in the attic or in wall voids. 

Squirrel Removal in Coquitlam Includes Clearing Food Stores

Squirrels are very industrious and can gather large food stores. These can be almost as troublesome as the squirrels themselves. Skedaddle squirrel removal services include clearing the food and debris that they bring into your home after their safe removal.