Tiny Hamsters Enjoy a Tiny Thanksgiving Meal in the Name of Cuteness

Mice have been used in many studies that measure the effects of tryptophan, an amino acid in turkey that’s commonly associated with post-feast drowsiness. But why should mice have all the amino acid-induced fun? This video of a hamster Thanksgiving poses a highly scientific question (what happens when tiny rodents eat tiny holiday dishes) and delivers the shocking empirical results: They nibble stuff really adorably.

The YouTube channel behind the video, HelloDenizen, has produced several riveting case studies of hamsters’ eating habits. In one video, a hamster battles competitive eating champion Takeru Kobayashi in a hot dog eating contest. In another, the balloon-cheeked rodent takes on miniature burritos while a nervous chef looks on, eager for approval.

If our portion sizes were anywhere near this small, we might not have to unbutton our pants at the table. But human-sized stomachs demand human-sized slices of pie.