How to determine the gender of a hamster?

Anyone who decides to have a hamster at home should definitely learn to distinguish between the sex of the animal. While there are quite a few differences between a male and a female, it can be difficult at times, especially if this is your first hamster. Don't worry, this article will help you learn how to correctly gender these pets.

As is often the case, 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 sex of the hamsters if you are going to buy several hamsters at once. If you are planning 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 you, on the contrary, need same-sex individuals, because hamsters, like all rodents, reproduce very quickly. At the same time, it is better to buy girls' hamsters, because two adult males, locked in one cage, can fight and cripple each other, and females are much calmer in this regard.

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

Being able to determine the gender of a hamster is also important when buying one individual. Gender greatly influences character and behavior. So, male hamsters use smell to attract females, and therefore they will smell very strong. 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 walk more easily and are generally much more communicative.

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

Hamsters have many ways to tell if they are a boy or a girl.

• The size... Female hamsters are always larger than males. Specific numbers may differ depending on the breed (dwarf hamsters are almost 3 times smaller than usual). It is worth remembering that to determine sex by size, hamsters must be of the same age (this is especially important in the first months of life).
• Back shape... Hamsters can be distinguished by their back shape. In males, the back tapers towards the tail and the hindquarters are slightly raised. On the other hand, in girls, the back is more round 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 there. Like many animals, the testicles of a hamster are half submerged in its 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 the testicles of the boy-pet are too large or, conversely, you cannot find them, then these are clear signs of the disease.

• Behavior. As discussed earlier, hamsters behave differently depending on gender. Females are much more mobile and aggressive than males. However, it should be noted that this method is the least reliable, since the behavior of hamsters can be influenced not only by their gender.
• Feel your belly. In females, the abdomen should be dry and smooth. In males, the abdomen is almost always moist due to the fluid secreted by the gonads.
• Nipples. In females, several pairs of nipples can be discerned on the belly. In most breeds, they are covered with wool until the female becomes pregnant. To see them, you 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 hamster and a boy. In females, this distance is minimal (maximum a few millimeters), while in males it can be from 1 to 2 centimeters, depending on the breed.
• Coat length. Some types of hamsters (for example, Dzungarian or Syrian) may differ in coat length. In male Dzungarian, the fur coat is much longer and looks more luxuriant than that of females. And female Syrian hamsters have practically no belly hair.
• The presence of a sex gland. Males can also be given off by the gonads on their belly. It looks like a small navel or pimple and is located just above the genitals. It is quite small and can be found most often only by touch, but in dwarf breeds it is quite easy to notice it. Separately, it is worth noting the Syrian hamsters, instead of one gland on their stomach, they have two along 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, sexual characteristics are too insignificant to be considered normally, and the size and shape of the back are still practically the same.

But there is still a way to tell the kids apart. Newborn hamsters have two pink spots not covered with hair on the bottom (these are 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.

When determining the gender of your hamster, there are certain rules you need to follow in order not to harm it.First of all, it should be remembered that this procedure can be quite stressful for your pet. If your hamster is not used to being picked up, he may start to struggle and even bite you. Therefore, you should prepare it slightly. First, wait until the pet is as calm as possible (it is best to check in the middle of the day, at which time the hamsters are most calm). Give him something tasty to eat, lightly stroke, and only then pick it up.

It is also worth preparing yourself. When handling your hamster, keep your hands clean and odorless. If they smell tasty, the hamster may bite your finger. It is best to wash your hands first and preferably without soap. And don't forget to wipe them dry.

You need to hold the hamster very carefully, but at the same time so that it does not break out. Holding the hamster in your hand, you should lightly clamp his chest in a ring of thumb and forefinger, and use the rest to support his body (if necessary, use the other hand). Never let the bottom of the hamster dangle from your hand, this can be very harmful to him. Inspection should be done carefully and carefully, but quickly, do not hold the hamster in your arms for too long.

It is worth remembering that hamsters are not cats or dogs, their bodies are arranged in a completely different way. They cannot be taken by the scruff of the neck or placed on their backs. At best, you will simply hurt the hamster, and at worst, harm his health.

Always be prepared for the hamster to break free. It is best to carry out the gender determination procedure on your lap with something soft underneath, as a fall from even that height can be fraught with consequences for a hamster. Also, do not forget that hamsters run very fast and climb into any gap, it will be very difficult to catch it, and therefore it is better to hold it 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 be taken in your arms only a month after their birth, otherwise you can interrupt their smell, and then their mother will not take care of them. That's all you need to know to correctly identify 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 you need to use several methods at the same time. If, at the end of the examination, you still did not manage 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 gender of a hamster, see below.