Petkeen is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commision. Learn More. Chinchillas may be one of the softest, cutest rodents on the planet. When you finally decide to get a plush chinchilla—you have a big decision right off the rip. Should you get a male or female? Even at the pet store, do they really know the difference? Sometimes, trained professionals can get it wrong, too. Chinchillas should stay in pairs or trios because they are social creatures. Although there is no way to really split the differences between male and female personalities, there will be notable differences in terms of care.
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Examining Your Chinchillas
One decision many people have to make when acquiring a chinchilla is whether to get a male or a female. First, in chinchillas, the male and female do not have different personalities based on their gender. Rather, each chin has their own, unique personality. That said, there are some differences in their care.
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Because they can breed prolifically and because you should keep them in single-gender pairs, not alone, determining gender is crucial. Although you can probably make a good guess if you examine your pets carefully, ask your vet for confirmation to be on the safe side. Using both hands, lift the chinchilla onto your lap and position him upside down or upright with his rump supported. Ask somebody to help if the chinchilla is prone to wriggling. You want to view his or her genital area, located on the underside near the tail—you might need to gently part the fur with your fingers to see it properly. The one nearer the tail is the anus and the other one is either the vagina or the penis slot.
Last Updated: December 26, References. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. There are 12 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 14, times.