How can I determine whether Dambo the rat is male or female? - briefly
Inspect the ventral region: males display a scrotum and a noticeably longer anogenital distance, whereas females lack a scrotum and have a shorter distance. Females also have prominent nipples and a more rounded abdomen.
How can I determine whether Dambo the rat is male or female? - in detail
Determining the sex of a rat such as Dambo requires a close visual inspection of the genital area. Follow these steps:
- Place the rat on a clean, flat surface and gently restrain it by holding the base of the tail with one hand while supporting the body with the other.
- Locate the vent, the small opening used for excretion. Directly behind it, on the lower abdomen, the sex organs are visible.
- In males, a pair of testes are present, appearing as two small, rounded masses. The distance between the vent and the anus is relatively short, and a thin, elongated organ (the penis) may be seen as a tiny protrusion.
- In females, the area shows a smooth, continuous line of fur without visible testes. The distance between the vent and the anus is longer, creating a noticeable gap. The genital papilla, a small, rounded structure, is present but less pronounced than male testes.
If the rat is very young, the testes may not yet be descended. In such cases, gently press the abdomen near the vent; a male will exhibit a slight bulge as the undescended testes shift, whereas a female will show no movement.
When visual cues are ambiguous, a quick veterinary examination can confirm sex through palpation or ultrasound. Accurate sex identification is essential for appropriate housing, breeding decisions, and health monitoring.