The gular pouch of the pelican is an extraordinary natural tool capable of holding up to three gallons (11 litres) of water, which is roughly three times the capacity of its stomach, demonstrating one of the most extreme mouth-to-body ratios in the animal world.  When the bird scoops fish and water into its beak, it quickly drains the liquid, leaving the prey behind before swallowing it whole.  The elastic pouch skin is supported by flexible lower mandible bones that expand outward and by musc