|
|
 7 cheek pouches DHJanzen100533.jpg high resolution
|
|
| In this photograph the right pouch has been turned intside out to as to see that it is hairy. Is in fact an in-pocketing from the outside, rather than an extension of the inner cheek pocket next to the molars. The pouches are filled (and emptied) by quick placing and pushing motions by the front feet, rather than by muscles in their walls. By the pouches being hairy on the insides, the various potentially allergenic proteins (and other chemicals) in the seeds (and insects) are prevented or deterred from directly impacting the mouse through skin contact (though because they handle and eat many species of seeds, Liomys may be especially resistent to allergens). | ||
back to lecture slides
or skip to: