Sexing?!

iamstuff · 12-24-2011, 05:46 PM

Is it me or are some chain pet stores notoriously bad at sexing hamsters? I went to buy my syrian and I thought I'd get another male as Ive heard they are more calm than females. So the man assured me it was male and popped him in the little box. I took 'him' home and as soon as 'he' was settled in his cage, he started climbing his bars... then, something caught my eye, nipples. So I checked for myself using online reference and yes of course 'he' was now a she. My friend also bought his girlfriend a hamster which he thought was a boy, but today a christmas miracle has happened and it has given birth to two pups. I'm worried now in case my female was sharing a cage with males.

StarlightSerenity · 12-24-2011, 05:48 PM

As you're new you probably don't know but it's against the rules to "name and shame" (because of potential problems it can cause the forum) so if you still can, I'd edit your post

A lot of pet stores are bad at sexing hamsters but then again there are some that are great at it.

Another reason why getting a hamster from a reputable breeder is better than getting one from a pet store.

Womblehands · 12-24-2011, 05:48 PM

mmmmm If her nipples are quite prominent she may well be carrying a xmas litter for you

iamstuff · 12-24-2011, 05:52 PM

Edited

Well she's been in her bed a lot lately. She doesnt like play time much, but I suppose I'll have to carry on taming her before she'll enjoy. I know its bad but I hope she isnt pregnant but i dont know what i'd do because of lack of cages x

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-24-2011, 05:52 PM

Yeah they are RUBBISH at sexing their hams :/ Cookie and Truffle two of my robos were boys for 9 months. I didnt find out until I got Trevor and was planning to move them in together when I noticed the huge difference! O.o A good thing I did really, C&T ended up moving in with my other 2 females Kiku and Jení (which were rescues and sexed by me so I was confident with them) which was a little anoying as when I brought K&J home kept thinking what a shame they arent all the same sex so they could live together. They could have become a colony 4 months earlier than they did! >.<

iamstuff · 12-24-2011, 05:55 PM

I didnt think the guy that help me choose my hamster knew what he was talking about.. he kept umming and arring... I told him twice that the first one he picked out was a boy and he convinced me it wasnt. But I'd done research but I thought 'well he's been trained so he must be right' arrrghhhhhh

StarlightSerenity · 12-24-2011, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamstuff

Edited

Well she's been in her bed a lot lately. She doesnt like play time much, but I suppose I'll have to carry on taming her before she'll enjoy. I know its bad but I hope she isnt pregnant but i dont know what i'd do because of lack of cages x

Hope she's not pregnant too (I think it's a good thing that you think that).

How long have you had her? Do you know how old she is?

iamstuff · 12-24-2011, 05:57 PM

I've had her two weeks today. I was told she was 10 weeks old. But as the guy didnt know what he was talking about with the sexes, she could be any age. I wish they had more knowledge. If I worked there I'd make sure I knew everything about all the hamsters

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-24-2011, 06:01 PM

Oh one other thing I should have said, do you have the 'recipt' for her? It should have the name of the guy who served you on it. If you ring up the store and tell them what happened and give the employe's name they can do something about it - perhaps suggest he goes through proper training on sexing the animals so it doesnt happen again?

iamstuff · 12-24-2011, 06:03 PM

Yes, I still have the 'receipt' I prefer to call them adoption papers

I rang the store and they couldn't remember what display tank she came from, so they couldnt tell me. But they said if she is pregnant I could get some sort of compensation. I'd demand a new home for the new babies to live in. As I feel I'd get too attached to let them go