How to Tell If a Ferret Is Male or Female

Ferrets can make great pets, but like many small animals it may not be easy to tell what gender they are immediately. Determining the gender of your new ferret isn't difficult, and in most cases can be done in only a few moments.

Things You'll Need

  • Ferret
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Instructions

    • 1

      The first thing that you should do is to pick up your ferret gently. Make sure that your ferret is calm before you proceed, as if it is not it will likely struggle against you which could result in you getting scratched or bitten. If the ferret does struggle against you, let it go. This will also prevent any potential injury to the ferret that could result from you trying to hold it tighter to prevent it from scratching or biting you.

    • 2

      Once your ferret is calm in your hands, you will need to turn your ferret over. Again, do this carefully so as not to spook the ferret which could still cause it to struggle. If the ferret seems uneasy, hold it gently for a moment to allow it to become calm again.

    • 3

      After you have turned the ferret over, look at the lower portion of its stomach near its hind legs. You will be looking for what appears to be a belly button; if you see this, then your ferret is male. If you don't see the "belly button" on your ferret, then the ferret is female.

    • 4

      As an alternate means of determining the gender of your ferret, you can pay attention to it when it uses the bathroom. When the ferret urinates, take note of whether it appears to be coming from under its tail or from a spot located a few inches up its stomach. If it urinates from between its legs under the tail then it is female, while if it urinates from higher up on its stomach then it is male.