Hii, new and need help.

[zeldaxlove64]

Hi all!! I am the lucky owner of two hamsters, Bellamy and Murphy. I got the names from the 100. I got them last week and I was wondering could my Murphy really be a FEMALE? I have never seen his.... umm.... balls, but the lady who sold them said they can tuck their testicles in. I was like oh okay! Today all day long Murphy goes over to Bellamy and stands very still and sticks his (her?) butt and tail straight up in the air and freezes. There's no discharge or odor that I can smell? I'm just new and confused!! I am sorry for such a long post!!!

[souffle]

Hi there - it does sound like Murphy may be female as that is definitely the position a female adopts when standing and in heat.
What species are they? If they are Syrian (I assume not) the should be kept strictly alone. If they are dwarf species then obviously if you have a male and a female these need separated as well. Sometimes youngsters can get a little confused as they mature. You need to check them out carefully. Only females have nipple lines so if you see nipples then it is a female. Next check the two vents. A male will have a gap between the two vents usually with fur in it. Male dwarf hamsters also have a much more prominent scent gland on the tummy and this can be stained yellowish. In a female the vents are very close together and you don't see the bulge of the testicles. Even if you cant see the testicles you can usually feel them. Can you post some pics?

[Hamsterita]

As souffle said, if they are syrians they need to be separated no matter what.

If they are dwarfs you should follow souffle instructions to sex them, and you could use these pics to help you do it




(photos from dwarfhamsterhome.com and Hamsterific.com)

[Pebbles82]

Great photos from Hamsterita there! Here are some more to help you identify! Although I know it can be hard on small dwarf hammies. If you do find you've got one boy and one girl dwarfies - they need separating NOW! If you don't have a spare cage, you could use a large deep plastic storage bin for now and put substrate, a cardboard box house and some toys in and then get another cage and wheel asap. As Souffle says, if they're Syrians they need separating anyway, regardless of their sex.

[Crystalroborovski]

From the the position you described Murphy to be in it sounds like he is actually a she as soufflé mentioned. Sexing should be done ASAP.

[dreamtree1234]

Hi and welcome to HC, Zeldaxlove! Congrats on giving Bellamy and Murphy their loving, forever home with you. I look forward to seeing pics and reading about them. Great names, by the way!

[CMB]

Congratulations on getting your new hamsters. There is a possibility one may be pregnant. Best thing would be to separate them. They are better of living solitary. Pairs often fall out as they get older and fight.