We all know that kangaroos have pockets in their tummies called “pouches” where their little babies live during their first six months of life. This is a characteristic that can be found in numerous animals from the marsupial infraclass. But did you know that not only marsupials have this awesome added feature? Here are a few other animals that also have pockets.
Echidnas
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These prickly animals not only have pouches but their pockets are actually “convertible”. When echidnas lay eggs, their abdominal muscles contract to create a pouch-like holder. In the pouch, the eggs hatch in about ten days. Then, the small puggles stay tucked in until they develop their spines and can explore the outside world.
Sea Otters
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Unlike marsupials and echidnas, sea otters do not keep their babies in their pouches. The intended use for their pockets is actually keeping food and, potentially, their favorite rock. Since sea otters need to crack open their shellfish and clams in order to eat, they sometimes carry their favorite rock under their forearms to help with the process.
Chipmunks
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Chipmunks have cheek pouches where they store food, just like monkeys, platypuses and other rodents. But compared to these other animals, chipmunks are the ones with the largest pouches. When their cheeks are full, they can basically reach the size of the entire chipmunk’s body.
Seahorses
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You might have heard that it’s the male seahorse, not the female, that gets pregnant. In fact, male seahorses have a pouch, which is where their female partners deposit their eggs. Their pregnancy period lasts around 10 to 25 days, and then the male seahorses give birth to their babies, leaving room in their pouch for new eggs.
