What Sex is Your Pet Rat?

Any good pet shop owner will be able to tell the difference between a male and a female rat for you, but just in case here is how to find out for yourself. Remember to separate boy rats from girl rats when they are five or six weeks old, or you will have more bubs on your hands.

Physical Differences

It is very easy to tell adult males from adult females.

Males have large, prominent testicles between their back legs. It even makes them walk with a little bit of a waddle. Sometimes when your rat is scared his testicles may draw up inside him, but this will only be temporary.

Females have nipples to feed their young.

When your rat babies are only ten days old, you will already be able to see little dots where the females nipples will be and a small bump where the balls and penis will be in the male.

Rats have belly buttons, so make sure you don’t mistake a male’s belly button for a nipple.

Female rats do not have periods, so if your rat is bleeding from that area, consult your vet immediately.

So, as you can see, it is very easy to tell a buck from a doe rat, even at a young age.

Behavioral Differences

Male rats are generally quieter than females. They are more likely to enjoy a cuddle.

Females enjoy investigating and causing mischief, even more than males. I can never keep Ginger on my lap for long, until she’s off exploring again.

Male rats can, occasionally be aggressive. This can pass with age (after the teenage months are over). Some people resort to castration to fix the problem.

All rats mark with small droplets of urine, but males tend to do it more. They are keen to mark out their territory. Wombat and Little Cloud have stopped marking as much, now that they are comfortable with their surroundings.

Females are easier to keep together than males, but if males are bought at the same time they will be great friends. Even at a later age, if introduced carefully, males can get along with each other.

Whatever you do, don’t keep male and female rats together, or you will end up with lots of babies.

Both male and female ratties make wonderful pets. Both are intelligent, mischievous and fun. It is entirely your preference as to which you prefer. I love them both equally.

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