Boy or girl? Size? and hole in ear?

[elephant+steve]

I have two robos called Elephant and Steve.

They both eat about the same amount but Elephant is a lot smaller and lighter than Steve.

Elephant is constantly eating and has a healthy appetite.

Steve is considerably more heavy and has more of a bulging belly. I was concerned that maybe Steve was pregnant (but the pet shop said they were both boys). I really hope that Steve isnt actually a she because I would hate to have to split them up. Also, I read that if you can see a yellow scent gland on there stomachs it is a boy? I can see Elephants but nots Steves? (not sure if that is just because his coat is a little fluffier?)

Is it normal that one can be a lot smaller?

Also, Elephant seems to be the more dominant one, even though he is smaller? I thought the bigger one would be more dominant?

and one last thing. Last night I noticed Steve has a hole in his ear! It isnt red and it hasnt been bleeding or anything. Last week they were fighting a little but in another forum I was told to put in another wheel and house so that they didnt fight so I did and they do seem a lot better this week but Im still concerned that his ear has a small hole? I would of thought though if it had been bitten the hole would be on the edge of his ear and not right in the centre?
I really would hate to split them up because most of the time they get on great and they like snuggling up together etc.

Any advice?

Thanks

[Tammy22]

Hiya

Welcome to the forum.

Unfortunately pet shops are not always accurate when sexing robos, so the first thing you need to do is to get them sexed properly and this needs to be done as soon as possible. You can either try and get some clear pics of them and post them here for us to look at, or you can see if there are any breeders around your area who might be able to help you. From your description of them, it does sound like you might have one male and one female!

As long as both of them are eating and drinking ok then a slight size difference is fine, as long as the smaller one is only smaller and not thinner - as this could mean one is being bullied or prevented from eating.

Ear holes are very norma with robos as they can easily get 'pierced' by fighting and even play fighting too - nothing to worry about as long as it is not infected.

Tammy x

[souffle]

It does indeed sound like you may have a pair there and it is really important you get them reliably sexed. Has Steve only recently become plump or has he always been this way? Tammy's website has some great info on robo's breeding and sexing them so maybe have a read there.
We have had lots of hammies, syrians & WW with nicked and pierced ears but it never bothers them and seldom causes any problems.
Good luck if you do have some little surprises soon

[elephant+steve]

I have only had them two weeks and Steve was always bigger than Elephant; but I can't remember if his stomach was plump though when I got him, or if it is a new thing...

Are males usually more dominant towards females?

[Bunsey]

could you take some clear photos of their genitals? It does sound like it's possible that one is pregnant. If you've only had them 2 weeks then she could have gotten pregnant in the store, so they could be two females or male/female. If they are m/f you need to take the male out before the birth (they get pregnant again straight after birth), so you need to find out the sexes ASAP.