Difference Between Male and Female Hamsters

Hamsters are small rodents often kept as pets. There are several different types of hamsters and there are many colors. Nocturnal creatures who are active only at night, hamsters have a life span of about 2 years.

  1. Differentiating between Genders

    • Differentiating between male and female hamsters can be difficult. A physical examination of the hamster is necessary, and testicles in the male may not be evident until the hamster is 4 weeks old.

    Genitals

    • Both male and female hamsters have two "vents," including the anus. In the female, the second vent is the vagina; in the male, it is the penile opening.

      In the male, the two vents are separated by about 1 to 2 cm. There is almost no distance in the female so that the two vents actually appear to be just one.

      In addition, only female hamsters have nipples.

    Body Type

    • In general, males are more elongated around the rear and rounder than females.

    Weight

    • Adult males weigh between 85 and 140 g. Adult females weigh between 95 and 120 g.

    Reproductive Life

    • Males have a reproductive life of about 18 months while females have a shorter breeding life, about 14 months.