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Old 03-09-2014, 05:07 AM   #1
Hanhanboban
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Default Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Hey everyone (:

I've been posting last night as I was concerned that one of my dwarf hamsters (who is male) Gizmo, was bullying the other, Gimli.

Gizmo has always been pretty confident an happy to come say hello to anyone and walk onto their hand, Gimli hasn't been. We've had them 1 week 1 day and we're slowly making progress with Gimli and we can now get the little on our hands but not for long. We thought both where boys, Gizmo deffo was but Gimli was harder to tell for sure as we couldn't investigate as much.

Well after the behaviour of bullying I thought was going on I realise Gimli may be a girl and Gizmo is trying to seduce her, well we got Gimli out just now, and I'm not expert but I'm pretty sure that Gimli is, in face, definitely a girl.

Now I'm concerned, we're on our way into town to get a new cage to seperate th but we've had them just over a week already and the where living together at the pet shop, pups would be cute but I'm not prepared for anything of that responsibility at the moment. Can I take them to he vets to see if she is pregnant already? I'm worried and don't know what to do.

Thanks a lot in advance (:

Hannah x
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Old 03-09-2014, 05:10 AM   #2
Colby and the Dwarfs
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Honestly, I would think she's been stressed out enough. Can you get more pics of her underside though?
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Last edited by Colby and the Dwarfs; 03-09-2014 at 05:15 AM.
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Old 03-09-2014, 05:29 AM   #3
Hanhanboban
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

I'm going to try again and get a picture today, I don't want to stress her out by messing her around too much when she's sleepy and nervous already.

I read your reply you left on my other thread and that sounds awful ): definitely don't want that to happen so thanks for the heads up! I think it is for the best that they get seperated.

How do I know if she's happened to have fallen pregnant already and what do I do if it has happened?

Thanks a lot (:

Hannah x
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Old 03-09-2014, 05:40 AM   #4
Colby and the Dwarfs
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanhanboban View Post
I'm going to try again and get a picture today, I don't want to stress her out by messing her around too much when she's sleepy and nervous already.

I read your reply you left on my other thread and that sounds awful ): definitely don't want that to happen so thanks for the heads up! I think it is for the best that they get seperated.

How do I know if she's happened to have fallen pregnant already and what do I do if it has happened?

Thanks a lot (:

Hannah x
If she's pregnant, Well, she'll start nesting, pulling out fur, and generally be so busy she may not make the best pet till the babies are weaned! Soon, she'll rapidly gain weight and, for a larger litter, look like she swallowed a golf ball.

I've included a picture of my Zelda about 10 hours before she had her babies(I knew she was pregnant).

I would weigh her and see if she gains much, that might help. Also, give her 2-3 tissues. Generally, they will rip them up and put them in her nest. What bedding do you use?
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Old 03-09-2014, 05:52 AM   #5
Hanhanboban
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

She's a very small dwarf so I'm sure I'll be able to notice any rapid weigh gain, I'll weigh her later and due it regularly in the next few weeks.

She's normally very sleepy during the day and active at night, you don't see her out much but at night you can hear her running around a lot. I'll see how her behaviour changes to what I can tell.

I've literally just been using tissue that I've shredded up myself, I put it in their cage and they move it around according to how they want to sleep. Shall I add 2-3 whole pieces of tissue to her cage and see what happens? She's burrowed herself under the sawdust today and been sleeping down there.

They haven't actually been seperated yet as I'm in town now buying a new cage, but when I left them they where both snuggled up together sleeping, that's why it's breaking my heart so much to seperate them ): coz they do get on so well but ino it's for the best!

Hannah x
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Old 03-09-2014, 05:59 AM   #6
Colby and the Dwarfs
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Hanhanboban View Post
She's a very small dwarf so I'm sure I'll be able to notice any rapid weigh gain, I'll weigh her later and due it regularly in the next few weeks.

She's normally very sleepy during the day and active at night, you don't see her out much but at night you can hear her running around a lot. I'll see how her behaviour changes to what I can tell.

I've literally just been using tissue that I've shredded up myself, I put it in their cage and they move it around according to how they want to sleep. Shall I add 2-3 whole pieces of tissue to her cage and see what happens? She's burrowed herself under the sawdust today and been sleeping down there.

They haven't actually been seperated yet as I'm in town now buying a new cage, but when I left them they where both snuggled up together sleeping, that's why it's breaking my heart so much to seperate them ): coz they do get on so well but ino it's for the best!

Hannah x
Ummm...well I don't really understand. You said you only use tissues but she's in the sawdust? Sorry I'm just a bit confused, haha!

Just know that you're doing the right thing, and they appreciate it
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Old 03-09-2014, 06:19 AM   #7
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

If she is she is and you can't get a vet to tell you because they don't really know.
You are doing the right thing in separating here because it sounds as if, even if they are the same sex that one is bullying the other anyway. They will be really fine along so don't fret.
For now you need to prepare her in case she is expecting. If she has babies you will cope and so will she. Teen mums do just fine. A young female may have a smaller litter if she is pregnant at all and you will manage to home them. You could even keep a girl with mum and a boy with dad
When you get her in the new cage alone count 22 days to be safe then assume that if no babies arrive she is not pregnant. I'd move her rather than him so she has no scent of him to worry about around the cage.
Remember though that same sex animals will 'mate' or mount each other as a dominance sign so they may still be two males but regardless they need separated for their wellbeing.
Keep us posted how she does.
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Old 03-09-2014, 06:21 AM   #8
Hanhanboban
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Ohhh sorry they have sawdust all over the floor of there cage and it's quite think but I put ripped up tissue in there too which they use in their nest! Haha

It's sad seeing them I've gone to look at them and Gimli is sleeping and Gizmo is gathering up bits of tissue around the cage and taking them to Gimli where she's sleeping and creating a little nest! So cute I hate to see them broken up ):

Hannah x
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Old 03-09-2014, 08:12 AM   #9
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Hopefully she hasn't caught pregnant. You'll know by the 22nd day. Truthfully, there really isn't much you'll have to do other than make sure she has good food and a peaceful home. What an experience for your first hammies! Ah, who knows, she still might be a he. Either way, we'll all still be here for you
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Old 03-09-2014, 08:50 AM   #10
Hanhanboban
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Default Re: Male hammy turns out to be female hammy?

Thanks for all the great help people We now have a nice new cage and it works out well coz it's pink for her and our old one is blue for Gizmo haha :L

From what I can see they've just been sleeping while I've been out, it's sad seperating them but like you all say whether little Gimli is a boy or girl they still need seperating as there is quite clearly a problem so thanks for all your advice and information with that (:

The idea about keeping one boy and one girl if she is pregnant is a good idea, so if she has fallen pregnant atleast that's some good news and I'll be able to give the rest a lovely home with someone else too!

I'll look out towards the end of the month for signs of birth and I'll check her weight and behavior over the next few weeks too!

Here's a picture of the little girl


Thanks everyone for all your help (:
Hannah x
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