When you buy a hamster, one of the first things you’ll need to determine is its gender. Thankfully, there are some easy ways to tell your hamster’s sex. A male hamster will have a bulge across their hind legs and a small, prominent butt on its abdomen. Female hamsters won’t have this bulge and will instead be flat across their hind legs.
One of the easiest ways to determine the sex of your hamster is to look at the anogenital distance. Females have a shorter anogenital distance than males. You can also check the length of their nipples by running your finger along the underside of their abdomen. The distance between their testicles will vary from male to female, but both sexes have elongated nipples.
Another way to identify a hamster’s gender is to look for vaginal markings and nipple size. Female hamsters will have an anal opening and a vaginal opening close together, while male hamsters will have a patch of fur between the anal and vaginal openings. If you cannot tell the sex of a hamster by looking at its markings, you can always give it a treat to distract it from the fact that they are infertile.
Male hamsters have a larger patch of fur between their anal opening and genital area. You can tell a hamster’s gender by feeling the nipples on their belly. Part their fur if they are a female. It’s a good idea to look at both sex patterns to determine a hamster’s gender. You can also look for a scent gland.
To sex a hamster, first, try observing them on a transparent sheet. You’ll probably need to spread the legs to see them. You’ll also want to take a hamster’s leg apart to view their genitals. This can take some practice but it’s worth it in the end. After all, a female hamster will likely prefer a quiet, low-lit environment.
Male and female hamsters should never be kept together permanently. If they mate, males and females can produce thousands of offspring. In addition to breeding males and females, female hamsters also can give birth to babies. They will often become aggressive towards each other after mating. Male hamsters are easily mistaken for females. However, male Syrian hamsters will have noticeable testicles at about four weeks of age.
Male hamsters will have larger scent glands. During this time, they’ll begin to show their sexuality. If they are sexually mature, you can try to sex them at your local veterinarian. A female hamster will become sexually mature at around seven to eight weeks of age. If your hamster is not sexually mature, you should take them to a veterinarian immediately to ensure their reproductive health. If you fail to do so, your hamster will likely give birth to a surprise baby.
Male hamsters are less aggressive and more affectionate than females. Females will give you a litter of pups, but they will need more work and money to raise. However, if you’re looking to grow a hamster population, you’ll want a female. When you’re not sure, you can try a male hamster. It will make a great pet for many years.
