How can you distinguish a female from a male Dumbo rat? - briefly
Female Dumbo rats have a broader, more rounded genital opening and a shorter anogenital distance, while males display a visible scrotal sac and a longer distance between the anus and genital papilla. These external differences allow reliable sex identification.
How can you distinguish a female from a male Dumbo rat? - in detail
Sex determination in Dumbo rats relies primarily on anatomical inspection. The most reliable external indicator is the distance between the anus and the genital opening. Females exhibit a noticeably longer anogenital gap, typically exceeding 5 mm, whereas males present a shorter separation, often less than 4 mm. This measurement should be taken with gentle restraint and a calibrated ruler or calipers.
Secondary visual cues include the shape of the genitalia. In females, the vulvar opening appears as a smooth, rounded slit without any protruding structures. Males display a small, raised scrotal pouch located just ventral to the anus; the pouch may be empty in pre‑pubescent individuals but remains distinguishable by its contour.
Nipple development offers additional information after puberty. Female Dumbo rats develop a full set of eight nipples along the ventral line, while males retain only rudimentary or absent nipples, often visible as faint scars.
Behavioral observations can supplement anatomical data. Males frequently engage in scent marking, urine spraying, and territorial aggression, especially when housed with other males. Females tend to exhibit nesting behavior and display less overt aggression.
When visual assessment is inconclusive, veterinary techniques provide definitive results. Palpation of the genital area by an experienced practitioner can reveal internal reproductive organs. Molecular sexing, performed on a small tissue sample or cheek swab, detects the presence of the SRY gene on the Y chromosome, confirming male identity with near‑100 % accuracy.