Determining the sex of a hamster: how to distinguish a girl from a boy, description of signs

How to determine the sex of a Djungarian hamster?

Rodents of this breed are somewhat larger in size, so it is much easier to determine their gender than the sex of a Syrian hamster. But despite this, veterinarians do not advise often holding these rodents in your hands, because they are also quite small in size, and their body is quite fragile and susceptible to various types of damage.

But to determine the baby’s sexual characteristics, you can still pick him up and turn him over on his belly. The most accurate determination of the sex of the dzhungarik will be only in the case of an adult or practically grown animal - a teenager.

Male sexual characteristics

In a male hamster of the Djungarian breed, you can notice a number of signs indicating that he is male:

Males have a distance of up to one centimeter from the genitals to the anus.
In the center of the animal’s belly you can find a certain tubercle that resembles a navel. This is the gland of the male.

Signs of a female dzhungarika

Girls of this rodent breed also have very characteristic indicators of gender:

In this case, there will be no bulges or bumps on the animal’s abdomen.
The female always has nipples on her stomach, arranged in two rows symmetrically to each other. Moreover, there can be a different number of them, up to eight pieces. But sometimes there may also be a single nipple on a girl’s body.

All these simple methods allow you to fairly accurately determine the gender of a Djungarian baby. However, they are quite accurate.

How can you determine what gender a hamster is based on secondary characteristics?

Despite the fact that the gender of a Djungar baby, as mentioned above, is easy to establish, some people find it difficult. In such a situation, it is quite possible to do without the help of a veterinarian. After all, in addition to the main ones, there are also not so important secondary signs of the sex of a rodent. For example, this can be done based on the dimensions of his body. Surprisingly, it is a fact that the girl’s body size will be slightly larger than that of the male. In addition, females are incredibly smart, active and cheerful. They tend to constantly move, run and play. Males, on the other hand, have a calmer character. They are less active.

It is also easy to identify a female when she is pregnant. During this period, the animal noticeably increases in size. But this method is completely unsuitable for very small animals that are only a few weeks or months old.

These signs will help future owners correctly determine the gender of the hamster and make the right choice in accordance with their own preferences and expectations. This knowledge will help you choose a pet based on its character or start breeding such animals.

But it should also be remembered that the described signs in a particular individual may be less pronounced or have significant deviations or anomalies. It is difficult to call such an animal healthy and capable of successful procreation. Therefore, in doubtful cases, it is recommended to consult a veterinarian or an experienced and reliable breeder. This will allow you to choose the right pet and buy yourself a truly healthy and healthy baby who will delight the owner for a long time.

At what age is it easier to recognize?

Small hamsters are almost impossible to distinguish by gender. Determining sex becomes possible after the rodents are four weeks old.

Let the cubs develop normally in their first month, get used to an active lifestyle, and run in a wheel.

To make it easier to determine the sex of your pet in the future, do not allow it to become obese in the first weeks of life. To burn off all the energy and calories, a hamster must run several kilometers a day. Babies can be placed in separate cages at the age of 35–40 days. During this period, it is recommended to determine the sex of rodents.

If further offspring are not planned, then it is important to separate boys and girls into separate cages. Therefore, it is better to seat the family in individual dwellings

In addition, it is important to provide each hamster with a certain cage area, and a small structure is not suitable for keeping five individuals at once

Therefore, it is better to seat the family in individual dwellings

In addition, it is important to provide each hamster with a certain cage area, and a small structure is not suitable for keeping five individuals at once

Do not allow your Djungarian hamster to be raised in a jar. Some people think there is enough space for him there. In fact, in such a small area, the hamster will constantly lack vigorous activity, which means that it will not live very long. Do not forget that dwarfs reproduce with enviable regularity, and therefore do not leave two individuals of different sexes in the same cage, even for a short time, if you do not need offspring. This applies not only to brothers and sisters, but also to parents and children.

By the way, hamsters do not care about moral problems, but hamsters that are the result of the love of two relatives may turn out to be defective, and the more often the owner receives offspring from relatives from generation to generation, the worse the genetics will be, and the weaker the babies will be born while won't die out at all. Sometimes female rodents, having acquired inferior offspring, simply eat their own cubs

In this regard, it is very important to know the gender of your pets.

Interesting facts about hamsters

Although the animal is a herbivorous rodent, its diet can include all kinds of insects. This gives the body additional protein.
In North America, forest hamsters act like magpies - they carry shiny things into their burrows. But in place of the stolen item, they almost always leave a pebble or a twig, as if exchanging. But in reality, everything is simpler - the animal simply throws what it was carrying in order to grab the sparkling thing.
The cheek pouches can hold an amount of food equal to a fifth of the animal's weight.
Hamsters are born with teeth, which continue to grow throughout their lives, being worn down by gnawing. The teeth of guinea pigs are similar.
The animals are quite smart. They are trainable and usually easily remember their name and the faces of those in their household.
Most domestic golden hamsters come from a single female, who gave birth to twelve babies in 1930.
If we convert the age of these animals to human ones, then one year is equal to 25 human years.
During long runs, the animals mark their path with the help of scent glands.
The animal does not see very well, and also does not distinguish colors, but it has a well-developed sense of smell and hearing.
This feature has been noticed in dwarf hamsters - the female can delay the birth of a new litter while she feeds the previous one, this happens both at home and in the wild.

In science, cells extracted from the ovaries of Chinese hamsters are used in the production of many drugs for serious diseases, in particular multiple sclerosis and chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
In Vietnam, keeping these animals at home is prohibited by law because they carry infectious diseases.
Newton's and Syrian hamsters are listed in the Red Book and are on the verge of extinction in the wild.
Food reserves can reach 90 kg. Like squirrels, hamsters store much more than they can eat.
As a rule, only one animal lives in each large branched burrow.
Hamsters are good swimmers - they have adapted to draw air into their cheek pouches, creating something like a float.
The name of the animal originates from the ancient Avestan dialect and roughly translates as “enemy pressing in the ground” due to the habit of the animals bending plant stems in the ground to get food.

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Brief characteristics of dzhungariks

The Djungarian hamster, nicknamed “Djungarian” for short, is quite unpretentious in everyday life, cute and funny. In addition, this hairy-footed hamster is scrupulously clean, not particularly picky in terms of feeding, and also does not bother with a repulsive odor.

Domesticated dwarfs differ from their free-ranging counterparts, as well as neighboring species (Campbell and Syrian) by their characteristic coloration. All Djungarian hamsters have a dark stripe along their spine, wider than that of Campbell's.

This dwarf rodent, growing up to 10 cm and weighing 35–65 g, has an extremely short tail, which is practically hidden from prying eyes when the animal sits down. Wool covers not only the dzhungarik's body, but also its feet. The dominant color of the fur is often diluted with noticeable white patches. Acceptable colors of the Djungarian hamster:

standard – brownish-gray with a white belly;
pearls – matte white with gray streaks;
sapphire – bluish-gray with a white belly;
tangerine - reddish-cream.

The Djungarian hamster will brighten up the leisure time of both adults and growing family members. Even preschoolers can take care of rodents: for this reason, jungarians are often purchased to please the child. This dwarf hamster can be fully recommended to those who have never kept animals before.

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How to determine the sex of a hamster that has not reached puberty

Clean, not picky about food and does not bother with an unpleasant odor, unlike other animals. This is why everyone loves him, especially children.

When buying one at a pet store, the question often arises: who exactly was bought, and what gender is the furry friend in front of us - male or female? What if you need to buy a hamster of a certain gender? Or did the seller slip an already pregnant female (and hamsters can become pregnant from the age of two months)?

Let's try to figure it out without relying on the seller in this matter, because even many years of experience can sometimes fail. Or the seller may not even know how to determine the sex of the animal, because after the birth of the hamster, everything looks the same.

Determination methods

There are several methods to determine the sex of a Djungarian hamster

The sex of a hamster can be determined when the animal reaches three to four weeks of age. If the hamster is already an adult, there should be no problems with sex determination. But if puberty has not yet occurred, it is worth trying the following methods.

Sexual maturity in representatives of the hamster family occurs at 35 days

If your pet has already reached this age and you are interested in how to distinguish a boy from a girl hamster, you should pay special attention to:

genitals;
presence of nipples on the stomach;
presence of an odorous gland.

If the first two options do not allow you to decide, then you should look for the scent gland on the pet’s abdomen. As a rule, it is yellowish in color and is located exactly in the center of the abdomen. In appearance it resembles a navel. Its presence indicates that this is a male.

If you have several rodents whose gender is unknown to you, you can take a closer look at the body size. As a rule, males are much larger. This, of course, does not give a 100% guarantee, but it often helps to make a decision. This method cannot be used if there is only one pet and there is no one to compare it with.

If, at the end of all the procedures, you still have not found the answer to your question, and you are still interested in how to determine whether a hamster is a boy or a girl, then you should simply examine your pet again after some time. Often, owners try to find out the gender of an animal that has not yet reached sexual maturity.

It is worth knowing that you cannot be one hundred percent sure, since it is often impossible to distinguish between a male and a female at a young age.

If you are interested in how to find out whether a hamster is a boy or a girl, but the animal is still younger than 35 days, then you can turn your attention to some body features. These include:

The space between the holes in the lower abdomen.
The presence of small swellings under the rodent's tail.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GSv27gPCLCc

If all of the above tips did not help you and you still do not know how to find out the sex of a hamster, it is best to consult a veterinarian. A specialist will be able to accurately tell whether you have a female or a male. This will help you decide on the placement of your pets in cages and avoid, for example, an unplanned pregnancy of your hamster. A responsible approach to determining the sex of an animal and taking into account the behavioral characteristics of individuals will help you create optimal living conditions.

Excessive attention from owners

Close attention and excessive care will harm not only human relationships, but can also become a reason for cannibalism in female hamsters. Since this rodent is a solitary animal, and after the birth of the cubs, the female needs a secluded environment and tranquility even more, excessive care will only harm these animals

Do not pick up hamsters and do not get into the cage. Let your family see you less.

Foreign odors repel the mother hamster. Sensing a foreign smell, she does not identify the cubs as her own creatures and, as a result, abandons them and destroys them. Do not touch the hamster family for one to two weeks after the babies are born!

It is necessary to prepare in advance for the new offspring of furry rodents. When cleaning the cage, if you find hamster supplies, do not touch them. This is a strategic supply of products, which unpleasantly traumatizes the animal’s psyche in the event of its loss, even to the point of an uneven breakdown in a pregnant female. Only spoiled products can be thrown away to avoid the growth of putrefactive bacteria, odor and poisoning.

To arrange your own nest, it is recommended to put a few paper napkins. Your task is to fill the drinking bowl with clean drinking water and pour food into the feeder on time. This is all that the rodent needs from its owner at this time. Nature will do the rest.

Methods

Hamsters have many signs by which you can recognize whether the person in front of you is a boy or a girl.

Size. Female hamsters are always larger than males. Specific numbers may vary depending on the breed (dwarf hamsters are almost 3 times smaller than normal ones)

It is worth remembering that to determine sex by size, hamsters must be the same age (this is especially important in the first months of life). Back shape

Hamsters can be identified by the shape of their backs

Back shape. Hamsters can be identified by the shape of their backs

In males, the back tapers towards the tail and the back is slightly raised. In girls, on the contrary, the back is rounder and thicker than the front.

Sexual characteristics Another way to recognize a male is to pay attention to his butt. In males, you will see two almond-shaped testicles. Like many animals, the hamster's testicles are half immersed in his abdominal cavity, and therefore they do not hang, like in humans, but rather stick out

It is worth noting that in dwarf breeds it can be quite difficult to see them due to their small size. If, upon examination, you see that your male pet’s testicles are too large or, on the contrary, you cannot find them, then these are clear signs of illness.

Behavior. As mentioned earlier, hamsters' behavior may differ depending on their gender. Females are much more active and aggressive than males. However, it is worth noting that this method is the least reliable, since the behavior of hamsters can be influenced not only by their gender.
Touch your belly. In females, the abdomen should be dry and smooth. In males, the abdomen is almost always wet due to the fluid secreted by the gonads.
Nipples. In females, several pairs of nipples can be seen on the abdomen. In most breeds they are covered with fur until the female becomes pregnant. To see them, you will have to part the fur on her belly.
The distance between the genitals and the anus. This is perhaps the most noticeable difference between a girl and a boy hamster. In females this distance is minimal (a few millimeters maximum), while in males it can be from 1 to 2 centimeters, depending on the breed.
Wool length. Some types of hamsters (for example, Djungarian or Syrian) may differ in fur length. Male Djungarians have a much longer coat and look more luxuriant than females. And female Syrian hamsters have virtually no fur on their bellies.
Presence of a gonad. Males can also be identified by a gonad on their abdomen. It looks like a small navel or pimple and is located just above the genitals. It is quite small and can most often be found only by touch, but in dwarf breeds it is quite easy to notice. Separately, it is worth noting Syrian hamsters; instead of one gland on their stomach, they have two on the edges of their back.

All these differences will help you understand where the boy is and where the girl is. However, only if we are talking about adult hamsters that are already at least 2-3 months old. In younger individuals, the sexual characteristics are too small to be seen normally, and the size and shape of the back are still almost the same.

But there is still a way to distinguish babies from each other. Newborn hamsters have two pink spots on their butts that are not covered with hair (this is their genitals and anus). In girls, these spots practically merge, but in boys, one of them is located directly under the tail, and the second is almost in the center of the abdomen.

A little about the anatomy of males

When buying a hamster at a pet store, try to immediately determine its gender. This is difficult to do in young animals, because they have not yet reached puberty. That is, the hamster’s eggs have not yet fully formed. Therefore, you will have to judge not by the presence of bulges under the tail, but by other parameters.

To determine the gender, you will have to lay the homa on its back and estimate the distance between the anus and the genital opening: in boys it is 2 times larger than in girls.

Why are we saying this? And besides, there were various incidents with the gender of these animals, sometimes tragic. For example, the owners bought an animal, they were sure that it was a girl. But suddenly bloating appeared in her lower abdomen. The owners thought that these were some kind of ulcers - and squeezed out the whole thing. Naturally, the hamster died a few hours later.

Remember a few important points:

Determine the gender when purchasing an animal.
Puberty in small rodents begins at the age of 1-2 months.
First, tubercles appear on the male’s tummy, usually in the amount of 2 pieces. One tubercle may also appear - this means that the testicles do not descend into the scrotum at the same time. This is a completely normal phenomenon and occurs quite often.
By 3 months, the testicles of a Syrian hamster acquire an impressive size; in Djungarians this happens a little earlier.
Don’t be alarmed if your hamsters have thinning fur on their genitals – this is completely normal.

That is, to the question “why are the hamster’s testicles swollen?” Knowledge of the anatomy and physiology of these furry animals will help you answer.

The photo shows that the Syrian hamster has begun puberty:

Determining the sex of the Djungarian hamster

Djungarians are the smallest and incredibly nimble rodents. Therefore, to avoid injury to your pet, you should carry out the inspection over something soft. The best option is a terry towel folded several times, which you will need to place on your lap.

To accurately find out the sex of a hamster, you need to conduct an examination when the rodent is half asleep. These animals are calm and quite relaxed. Before you start the procedure, you need to pet him and treat him with something tasty.

You can determine the sex of a dzhungarik by its genitals. To do this, you need to take the hamster in your left hand. Using your thumb and index finger, pull the skin between the shoulder blades. This way you can reliably and safely fix the position of the animal. He will not be able to turn his head, which will protect the owner from being bitten. Then slowly turn the hamster onto its back.

Since the jungarians are very small, it is difficult to determine the sex by the genitals. To find out who it is, you need to gently press on the abdomen with your finger. With this movement, if you have a boy, bulges will appear in the butt area. These are the testes, which, like those of Syrian hamsters, enlarge during puberty.

You should also pay attention to the growth of the animal. By nature, females are much larger

Their parameters vary both in length and width.

The animals differ from each other in the amount of fur on their abdomen. In adult females, the abdomen is slightly pubescent, while in boys it is thick.

For those who need to distinguish the sex of a baby hamster, you should turn it over on its back and look at the distance between the anus and urinary opening. In boys they are at a greater distance than in girls.

As can be seen from this text, it is not difficult to distinguish whether you bought a boy hamster or a girl hamster in a store. By following the rules and advice, you can get an accurate answer to your long-awaited question.

Useful tips

When you determine the gender of your hamster, you should follow certain rules so as not to harm him. First of all, you should remember that this procedure can be quite stressful for your pet. If your hamster is not used to being handled, he may struggle and even bite you. Therefore, you should prepare it a little. First, wait until the pet is as calm as possible (it is best to carry out the examination in the middle of the day, at this time hamsters are most calm). Give him something tasty to eat, pet him lightly, and only then pick him up.

It’s also worth preparing yourself. When picking up your hamster, make sure your hands are clean and odorless. If they smell something tasty, the hamster may bite your finger. It is best to wash your hands first and preferably without soap. And don't forget to dry them thoroughly.

You need to hold the hamster very carefully, but at the same time so that he does not escape. When holding the hamster in your hand, you should lightly pinch its chest with your thumb and index finger, and use the rest to support its body (use your other hand if necessary). Never let your hamster's underside hang from your hand, this can be very harmful to him. The examination must be carried out carefully and carefully, but quickly; you should not hold the hamster in your arms for too long.

It is worth remembering that hamsters are not cats or dogs; their bodies are structured completely differently. They should not be picked up by the scruff of the neck or placed on their back. At best, you will simply cause pain to the hamster, and at worst, you will harm his health.

Always be prepared for the possibility that your hamster will vomit. It is best to carry out the sex determination procedure on your knees, with something soft underneath, since a fall even from such a height can be fraught with consequences for a hamster. Also, do not forget that hamsters run very quickly and crawl into any crack, it will be very difficult to catch him, and therefore it is better to keep him over a bucket or box. Or at least close the door to the room and cover all the places where the hamster could crawl.

Remember that babies can only be held in your arms a month after their birth, otherwise you can kill their smell, and then their mother will not take care of them. This is all you need to know to correctly determine the gender of your hamster.

Each of the above differences may have certain exceptions, for example, due to the characteristics of the breed or disease, and therefore several methods must be used simultaneously. If, at the end of the examination, you have not been able to reliably find out who is in front of you - a male or a female, then you can ask for help from a veterinarian or simply a more experienced breeder than you.

For information on how to determine the sex of a hamster, see below.

Features of determining the sex of babies

Until babies are at least a month old, it is undesirable to recognize their gender. And it’s better not to touch the crumbs at all!

The most common mistake when trying to determine the sex of a hamster is the desire to find out whether the “fluffy” one has testes. But this approach often leads to incorrect conclusions, since some breeds of hamsters (especially Djungarians) have small genitals. In young individuals they are not yet fully formed, and in some mature males the testicles may not descend into the scrotum, but hide in the abdominal cavity.

In cases where the testes are visible to the naked eye, it is impossible to make a mistake in distinguishing a boy from a girl hamster. Almond-shaped, rounded formations in the crotch of the animal can be distinguished from about the sixth week of the “fluffy” life. Over time, the male's testicles increase in size, and determining the sex of a Syrian hamster is not difficult at all.

In other species of rodents, females can be distinguished from males already on the 20-30th day after birth by the location of the urethra relative to the anus. In boys, there is a furry gap between the two holes. In adult Syrian males it is about 1.5 cm (in young animals it is approximately 0.5 cm). In females, the vagina is located almost next to the anus, there are no areas of skin with fur between the openings, and a characteristic bald patch can be seen.

In dwarf species of hamsters, the structure of the genital organs is quite difficult to recognize, and if it is not possible to determine the opening for urine output, then most likely the female must be examined. But the older the animal becomes, the easier it is to recognize its gender.

The ability to determine the sex of a Djungarian hamster or a furry representative of another breed is a mandatory skill for those breeders who want to breed animals. After all, if you pair up incorrectly, you may never have offspring. In addition, same-sex hamsters do not always get along in the same territory, and the stronger representative of the species “harasss” its neighbor.

Animals of different sexes are seated apart from each other in the second month of life. This precautionary measure is aimed at preventing arbitrary crossing of close relatives and avoiding the appearance of defective offspring.

Even when the hamster is kept separately, it is necessary to recognize its gender in order to choose the right name for it. It is illogical to call a boy Cleopatra and a girl Hercules. When an animal is bought for a child, the ability to determine the gender of the hamster will help answer the question of whether it is a boy or a girl, which a young naturalist will certainly ask.

If careful attempts to determine the sex of your pet are unsuccessful, it is advisable to show the animal to a zoologist or veterinarian. To do this, your pet should be taken to the clinic or a specialist should be sent a clear photograph of “interesting places.” You should not rely on the experience of sellers in pet stores.

How to determine the sex of a hamster with high accuracy, how to hold the animal correctly and conduct a safe inspection, a description of inspection methods and signs of sex.

Determining the sex of a hamster is a difficult task only at first glance

This article will tell you how to find the right approach to your pet, what to look for during examination and how not to harm the animal in the process, what are the primary and secondary sex differences

When agreeing to get a hamster, future owners must figure out how to find out the gender of the hamster. Sellers in stores often make mistakes, and sometimes even deliberately deceive, in a hurry to get rid of an overstayed animal. Stories about differences in body color or head shape are just philistine speculation that has no basis.

Determining the sex of a hamster is important in cases where the animals are planned to be bred, or, conversely, to prevent the appearance of offspring. In addition, from the general cage of a pet store you can bring home a female with an unwanted surprise.

Recognition by breed of Syrians

Quite often the question arises of how to find out the gender of your Syrian hamster. This is necessary so that you can save on a cage, because males can live in the same cage. But a female will never be able to get along in the same “room” with another representative of her sex.

You should also look at the distance between the excretory organs and the genitals.

In males, these organs are located at a distance of 1.5 cm from each other.
The female will have them in close proximity.

Once you have determined the gender of your hamsters, it will now be much easier to care for them, because males and females require completely different care. Moreover, you will know in what conditions to keep several rodents so that there are no embarrassments. This definition will allow you to control the breeding process of pets in order to avoid rapid and unnecessary fertility.

How to determine the sex of a Syrian hamster

Syrian hamsters have the following characteristics:

Life expectancy: 2.5 - 3 years. Size: Syrian hamsters are typically around 15-17 cm long. Behavior and Temperament: Syrian hamsters are nocturnal animals, but may wake for short periods during the day. They are usually quite good-natured and easy to tame. They have a reputation for being boring and lethargic, but this is usually due to lack of taming or trying to play with them during the day when they prefer to sleep. Social Characteristics: Syrian hamsters are solitary animals and love to fight for their territory. They should always be alone. They can tolerate other hamsters when they are young, but by the time they reach 8-10 weeks of age, territorial fights usually begin and are fatal.

This is why it is so important to identify the hamster in time. Boy or girl does not matter in this case, but this information helps control their reproduction. Appearance: Syrian hamsters are naturally golden brown (technically agouti, meaning the hair alternates in stripes of darker and lighter colors), with a lighter belly.

They also have dark patches on their cheeks that extend from the jaw to the ear. Thanks to selective breeding, there is a range of variations in colors and patterns. Care Notes: Basic care is similar to other hamsters. It is recommended to avoid modular plastic cages for Syrian hamsters due to issues with ventilation, size, and ease of cleaning. A simple wire cage or aquarium is preferred. The Syrian hamster, like all other animals, needs to be fed good quality food supplemented with a small amount of fresh food. This is the most common type of hamster used as pets.

How to determine the sex of a Syrian hamster:

To find out whether a hamster is a boy or a girl, both differences in body type (secondary sexual characteristics) and genitalia (primary sexual characteristics) between females and males help.

Sexual characteristics of male and female

Adult female Syrian hamsters are heavier than males. Male hamsters tend to mark their territory more than females, but this scent is not usually detected by humans.

Male Syrian hamsters have other differences from females. For example, males have a longer space between their anus and the genital papilla. The difference in males is significant, but in females they are very close.

The scrotum of an adult male Syrian hamster is large and protrudes from his body (but this is much more difficult to detect in young hamsters).

Determining the sex of a Syrian hamster is easier compared to other pets of this species.

Female Syrian hamsters have 2 rows of 4 nipples, but they are very difficult to see, especially in young girls. You can more easily see the nipples by gently rubbing the hamster's belly to loosen the fur - this may make the nipples more visible.

How to find your pet's gender characteristics

Sexual maturity in representatives of the hamster family occurs at 35 days

If your pet has already reached this age and you are interested in how to distinguish a boy from a girl hamster, you should pay special attention to:

genitals;
presence of nipples on the stomach;
presence of an odorous gland.

In males, upon reaching puberty, large testicles become very noticeable. As a rule, they are oval in shape and very convex. In females such bulges will not be found.

Determination by behavior and size

It's not hard to tell a boy from a girl

Experienced specialists know how to determine the sex of a Djungarian hamster. To do this, they pay attention to the behavior of the pet. It is believed that female girls are more aggressive compared to boys. You should also pay attention to the fact that they are more energetic and are always on the move. While males lead a more calm and sleeping lifestyle. Also, Djungariki girls look much smarter than Djungariki girls.

Sometimes you can come across questions about how to distinguish a hamster from a female. In this case, you should pay attention to the size of the pet. The bottom line is that girls are bigger. Especially if she is pregnant. At this time, it increases in size and volume.

How to determine the sex of an adult rat

Rats love company, so it is recommended to house them in numbers of two or more individuals.

But it is important that the neighbors are of the same sex if the owner does not intend to breed rodents. After all, they are very fertile, and if individuals of different sexes live in a cage, then within six months the owner will become the owner of a rat farm

The easiest way to tell a boy from a girl rat is by their genitals.

You should also pay attention to dimensions, body shape, fur and weight. Another important criterion is the character and habits of rats

It is easiest to distinguish a boy rat from a girl rat when they reach 5–6 weeks. At this age, their genitals are already fully formed. Therefore, the future owner can easily determine the gender of the pets based on their genitals and other physiological features.

By external signs

The easiest way to determine the sex of a kitty rat is to take a close look at their genitals. That is why experienced breeders advise establishing the gender of rodents that have already entered the puberty phase.

You need to distinguish a girl rat from a boy by the following external signs:

When establishing gender, you should pay attention to indirect external signs. We are talking not only about the physiological structure of rats, but also about their appearance

Boy rats are larger than girl rats. Males have more powerful paws and bodies, while females have thin, graceful ones.

Gender determination should be carried out taking into account body shape. In male rodents it is round and convex, while in female rodents the body is elongated and narrow.

To make sure that the sex is determined correctly, you need to feel the rat’s fur. Boy rodents have harder, denser hair, while girls have soft, shiny fur.

Female rats are lighter than males: the former weigh from 250 to 450 g, and the latter - from 400 to 600 g.

When determining gender, you should pay attention to the smell of urine. For girls it has a more neutral aroma, while for boys it has a sharp, unpleasant odor.

It should be borne in mind that the indirect signs described above depend on genetics. Therefore, when determining gender, you should first focus on the genitals.

The nature

Rats of different sexes differ in character and habits. Initially, all pups are active and playful, but with age they develop dominant traits.

Males are usually passive and even lazy, they prefer to rest most of the time

It is important not to overfeed them, otherwise they risk obesity and health problems

Male rats can live alone, but the owner should have more contact with the pet so that he does not feel lonely. Usually two males live together without problems until they enter puberty. Then it is advisable to resettle them, as they will begin to compete for the place of leader in the group.

Females, unlike males, remain playful, inquisitive and active until the end of their lives. Experienced breeders recommend keeping girls in groups

They happily explore the world around them, play, compete for their owner’s attention, groom each other before bed, and then curl up in a ball and fall asleep together.

Why is this necessary?

As often happens, not all pet store sellers really understand what they are selling. Therefore, it is much more reliable to determine the sex of the animal yourself. It is important to distinguish between the sexes of hamsters if you are going to buy several at once. If you plan to breed these animals, then you need at least one boy and one girl.

If you want to buy several hamsters, but are not going to breed them, then, on the contrary, you need same-sex individuals , because hamsters, like all rodents, reproduce very quickly. At the same time, it is better to buy girl hamsters, because two adult males locked in one cage can fight and injure each other, and females are much calmer in this regard.

Experienced breeders recommend housing hamsters separately, regardless of their gender. The only exception can be same-sex hamsters from the same litter.

If hamsters live in the same cage from birth, then later they will behave more calmly.

It is also important to be able to determine the sex of a hamster when purchasing one individual. Gender greatly influences character and behavior. So, male hamsters use smell to attract females, and therefore they will smell very strongly. You will have to take care of their cleanliness and wash the cage more often.

On the other hand, females are much more active, and since the hamster is a nocturnal animal, this can be a serious problem, especially if you live in a small house. In addition, boys get along much better with people, they are easier to handle and in general are much more communicative.

Don't forget about the nickname for your pet. If you determine the gender incorrectly, you can greatly miss the name. It is unlikely that your pet will be offended by this, but your child may be upset when the truth is revealed.

How to hold a hamster during examination

In order to examine the animal, you need to turn it upside down. This simple action with a hamster becomes an impossible task. The nimble, nimble animal does not feel safe in this position, and tries with all its might to roll over. It is impossible to hold it by force, because babies are very fragile, and efforts can easily cause harm.

Important: the animal, outraged by the impudence, may begin to bite. In order to avoid bites and not lead your pet to aggression, it is better to choose a time for examination when the hamster feels calm, has eaten well, and, best of all, is sleeping soundly.

In this state, he will not react immediately, and a couple of minutes will be enough to figure out his secrets. Before and after the examination, you need to calm the animal down and treat it with your favorite treats.

Before the procedure, you need to wash your hands with a product without a strong odor so that the hamster is not afraid of the unusual atmosphere. It is also advisable to prepare a place for inspection. The hamster can escape from your hands and fall, so you will have to hold it over soft bedding or over your lap.

There are several safe inspection methods for a hamster:

The animal is taken under the front paws with a ring of the index and thumb. The lower part remains suspended. The hamster is lifted, holding it from below with the free hand, and watched while holding the animal in an upright position.
If the hamster actively resists, you can sit him on a glass or grate and look at him from below.

When examining, it is important to monitor the position of the animal and under no circumstances turn it upside down. Having lost its balance, a frightened pet will immediately grab its owner with its teeth

What to look for to determine gender

Trying to determine whether a hamster has seminal glands (testicles) is not always successful. At a young age, they are practically invisible; in addition, in some cases they can remain in the abdominal cavity. Meanwhile, it is advisable to place animals of different sexes in different cages as quickly as possible, because already at the age of a month they can become pregnant.

Round, slightly elongated formations in the lower abdomen between the anus and urethra clearly indicate a male. They begin to be determined from the age of 35-40 days and then gradually increase with increasing age of the hamster.

In young hamsters, especially dwarf hamsters and other small breeds, it is often not possible to see the testes

In this case, you need to pay attention to the anus and urethra (urethra). The distance between the two holes will make it easy to understand what gender the animal is

if the distance does not exceed half a centimeter in Syrian hamsters, and in Djungarian hamsters it generally seems that there is only one hole, it is a girl. A characteristic feature is the absence of fur between the anus and the urethra, which results in the formation of a small but recognizable bald spot near the base of the tail.
If the distance is relatively large, reaching a centimeter and a half, if fur grows between the anus and urethra, then the animal is definitely male.

Additional signs of gender

Another sign that gives away a boy is a tubercle on the abdomen, the so-called odorous gland. It occurs in males of small breeds, including Djungarians; with its help, males mark the boundaries of their territory. It looks like a rounded yellowish bulge without hair, exactly in the middle of the abdomen, and occurs exclusively in males.

Female hamsters of any breed can be identified by their nipples. Hamsters have six nipples, three on each side. When young, the nipples look like barely noticeable pimples, but if they can be found, they indicate a female. In males, the surface of the abdomen is densely overgrown with hair and signs of nipples cannot be found.

Advice: if you have any difficulties in determining the sex of a hamster, you need to contact a veterinarian. You should not rely on someone else's random experience and trust consultants in pet stores; they do not have special education. When examining the animal in person or using clear photographs from the right angle, the veterinarian can easily determine the pet’s gender.

Finding out the sex of the animal is necessary so that the small pet receives a nickname that suits it. Correct determination of gender will help to avoid accidental pregnancy or, conversely, to plan healthy offspring with a suitable pair.

Possible reasons for eating baby hamsters

Offspring with health problems

In the wild, in order for the entire viable hamster species to survive, weak offspring are destroyed, which will interfere with the rodents' ability to escape from danger.

Domestic hamsters, which have long been tamed by people, remain true to their natural instincts, developed over centuries, which have saved them for a long time in the wild.

Born sick and weak, hamsters are usually eaten by their mothers. Injuries received by hamsters before or after birth equally make newborn babies weak and are immediately classified as non-viable. Such cubs, with almost one hundred percent probability, will be destroyed.

Important! If you notice a sick or even dead hamster in the cage, do not remove it; the female herself decides what to do with it. Your unnecessary interference may cause the death of all remaining offspring. This is due to foreign odors

Not being able to smell herself, the mother may start to panic and kill the rest of the newborn hamsters. Don't worry, these rodents eat everything, including meat. No matter how shocking it may sound, the female herself will “clean up” her nest

This is due to foreign odors. Not being able to smell herself, the mother may start to panic and kill the rest of the newborn hamsters. Don't worry, these rodents eat everything, including meat. No matter how shocking it may sound, the female herself will “clean up” her nest.

If this does not happen within several days, then use gloves to remove the dead cub. This will at least somehow protect other hamsters from your smell.

Unpreparedness to become a mother

Often, the first pregnancy of a female hamster can cause severe anxiety, anxiety and drive the young mother into a stressful situation.

The female is not ready for pregnancy, nor for giving birth and caring for her babies. This reason can provoke the killing of unwanted offspring. The subsequent gestation of offspring and their birth usually do not cause such a reaction in the female.

Weight of cubs

Many or seemingly large numbers of newborn babies. Having become a mother for the first time, doubts overcome both people and animals. Can I cope, do I have enough milk? Your female, who was very small herself, gave birth. I lost a lot of energy and vitality. And then numerous newborn offspring squeal nearby and ask for food. The hamster may panic and think that she won’t be able to feed everyone, and it will be difficult to cope with such a horde of babies. Therefore, this is where natural instinct kicks in; several individuals of the offspring can be eaten.

In order not to provoke the occurrence of such a situation, the owner needs to improve living conditions and improve the hamster’s nutrition as much as possible. She now needs nutrients and minerals, as well as vitamins. Feed her special food for pregnant females, vegetables and fruits. Don't forget about clean water.

Male living with offspring

After the process of mating a female with a male, they must immediately be separated into different cells. This is due to the fact that the male is completely devoid of any parental instincts. He will not even think about whether to leave his offspring or not, he will destroy them.

Some owners think that the hamster is jealous of the offspring of the female and receives little attention from her. In fact, such passions do not need to be attributed to them. Let us remember that the hamster is a loner by nature. And the struggle for territory is ongoing all the time. Here in the cage there is a whole brood of competitors, which are easier to deal with while they have not yet grown.

Determining the sex of little rat pups

It is possible to distinguish boys from girls in little rat pups only on the fourth or fifth day. At this time, baby rodents do not yet have fur, so their sex can be determined by the papillae on their abdomen. Small pimples are arranged in two rows. If you see them, then you have a small female in your hands. If the mammary glands are not visible, then it is a male. Both small and adult males lack mammary glands.

In males, dark small spots are visible, which are located between the urethra and anus. These are future testicles that are still in the formative stage.

How else can you tell the difference between a female and a male? Indirect signs

Owners of pet rats who have experience in keeping more than three rodents can distinguish females from males not only by their physiological structure, but also by their appearance. Boys also differ from girls in behavioral characteristics.

males are larger than females. Males are more powerfully built, females are more graceful;
females have an oblong body, while males have the shape of a duchess pear;
The fur skin of females is smooth, satiny-silky and soft. Males have a denser and stiffer coat;
males are lazy and calm. They can sleep for a long time and spend a long time in their home without getting out. Girls are more active. They curiously explore the world around them. They cannot sit still for a long time. They actively try everything to their teeth;
males are less aggressive than females. Girls can bite their owners. This happens if the rat is scared or has offspring that it is protecting;
Rat owners distinguish between different sexes by the smell of their urinary secretions. In males, bowel movements are unpleasant, harsher and more caustic than those of the opposite sex.

Before purchasing tailed rodents, think carefully and look at the positive and negative aspects of having pets. Can you live together in the same space? Are you ready to care for them? If the answer is yes, go for it!

If you are just a lover of home decorative rats, then it does not matter to you whether it is a boy or a girl. They are all cute and wonderful, soft and fluffy little balls.

The rat is a social creature; it loves to communicate with its relatives and with people. They are tamed, walk around the apartment on their own or sit on the owner’s shoulder. Each member of their gender has features that you will love. Females are small, silky, warm animals that actively explore the space around them. Males are a little lethargic, but they will calmly lie on your legs and bask under your strokes.

You will receive incomparable pleasure from both of them!