Oh!!! I was wrong, all wrong about the darling little creatures. Gnu, I owe you soooooooo much. I googled criticetinae. Apparently mommy hampsters will stuff babies in their mouths to protect them!!!

I've converted. Where do I send my dues?

LH--you may be overly concerned. Apparently some species of hamsters swim quite well, and fill their check pouches with air for flotation. THEY DON'T NEED NO STINKIN' LIFE JACKET. They probably pay good money to rent the boat--adrenalin rushes...that sort of thing.

Janie