How to determine the sex of a rat: we distinguish a boy from a girl (photo)

When purchasing a decorative rat, most owners do not attach importance to the gender of the rodent. But those who plan to breed these animals need to know how to determine the sex of a rat and how to distinguish a female from a male.

Sex determination of adult rats

At the age of one and a half months, the genital organs of rats are finally formed, and after this period the animals become sexually mature and ready for reproduction. Therefore, the easiest way to find out the sex of an adult rodent is to carefully study the structure of its genitals.

Sex differences between female and male:

• the main distinguishing feature of adult males are rather large testicles, which can be seen or felt by slightly raising the tail of the animal;
• the female can be recognized by two rows of nipples on the abdomen, while in male rats the mammary glands are completely absent;
• determine the sex of rodents and the distance between the urethra and anus. In females, these organs are located side by side and the distance between them does not exceed two to three millimeters. In males, the distance between the urogenital and anus is approximately five to six millimeters.

Important: when determining the sex of a rat, it is not recommended to lift the animal by the tail. After all, this method gives the pet discomfort and is stressful for him. It is not difficult to examine the genitals of an animal if you put it on the palm with your stomach up and hold it with your other hand by the head so that the rodent does not spin.

How to determine the sex of rats

Unlike adults, it is not easy to distinguish the sex of newborn rat pups and this can be done when the pups are at least four to five days old. Since small rodents are devoid of wool, you can determine the sex of a rat by the nipples on the tummy, which resemble tiny pimples. The presence of mammary glands indicates that this is a girl, because boys, both in their youth and in adulthood, do not have nipples.

Also, in male babies, you can see dark small spots located between the genitals and the anus, in place of which, as the animal grows older, the testicles will form.

Differences between female and male rats in appearance and character

Experienced owners who keep three or more rats claim that a girl is distinguished from a boy not only by physiological signs, but also by behavior. And in the appearance of tailed pets, you can also notice distinctive features that allow you to determine where the female is and where the male is:

• males are slightly larger than females and have a more powerful and strong physique;
• girls have a graceful oblong body, while boys have a pear-shaped body; If we compare the structure of the fur, then in females the coat is smooth, silky and soft, while in males the coat is harder and denser;
• females are inquisitive and restless and actively explore the surrounding objects, trying all things “by the tooth”. Boys behave more calmly, can sit in their house for a long time and spend all their free time sleeping;
• females are more aggressive than males and often bite their owners, especially if the animal is frightened or defends its offspring;
• to distinguish a boy’s rat from a girl, you can also smell the feces. In adult males, urine has a sharper and more unpleasant odor than in females.

Important: if the owner plans to keep two rats in one cage, but does not want to breed them, then it is better to purchase females for this purpose. Girls get along well and get along well with each other, while two boys can start fights over territory and food.

In order to control the reproduction of tailed pets, it is advisable to determine the sex of the rodents no later than they reach the age of one month, and seat males with females in separate cages.