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Chinchillas may be one of the softest, cutest rodents on the planet. When you finally decide to get a plush chinchilla, you have a big decision right off the rip. Should you get a male or female? Even at the pet store, do they really know the difference? Sometimes, trained professionals can get it wrong, too.
Chinchillas should stay in pairs or trios because they are social creatures. So, especially if you’re getting multiple, you might not want to get a little surprise birth of babies, no matter how cute they might be. Let’s go over the differences you can expect between the two sexes and learn how you can tell the difference yourself.
At PangoVet, we do not endorse breeding exotic pets, including chinchillas. Their breeding physiology, pregnancy needs, and potential complications are reasons why such tasks are best left for trained exotic animal breeders only. The content in this article is for informative purposes only.
Visual Differences
At a Glance
- Average length (adult): 9-11 inches
- Average weight (adult): 14-24 ounces
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
- Activity Level: High
- Sexual Maturity: 5-8 months
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Temperament: Active, sociable, territorial
- Average length (adult): 9-11 inches
- Average weight (adult): 14-24 ounces
- Lifespan: 10-20 years
- Activity Level: High
- Sexual Maturity: 4-5 months
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Temperament: Active, sociable, territorial
Female Chinchilla Overview
Although there is no way to really split the differences between male and female personalities, there will be notable differences in terms of care.
Cage Mates
You may assume that females get along more easily with other female cage mates, in comparison to males. This is not a guarantee, and females can also be quite territorial. If they have been socialised with other females and have created a closely bonded group, then they may get along just fine. Otherwise, they may fight and injure each other or worse.
Adding in a male knowingly might not be the wisest choice unless you’re actively ready to breed. Chinchillas mature quickly and can reproduce often. So, you might wake up one day to a cage full of unexpected baby chins with no foreknowledge of how to care for them.
Temperament
When it comes to personality, it will strictly depend on the individual chinchilla. However, females might be a little more likely to be high-strung or active than their male counterparts. Since they are more spunky, they might be a little harder to hold without trying to squirm away.
Females are much milder in groups, pairing well with other ladies.
Size
Females tend to be slightly larger than males. It’s not a surefire way to sex them if you rely on this method only, but it is usually the case.
Breeding
Females reach sexual maturity between 5 and 8 months of age. However, you shouldn’t try to breed them until they’re between 8 months to 1 year old—just to make sure they’re fully grown enough to handle a pregnancy healthily.
If you plan to breed a female chin, it’s best to start the process before they are 2 years old. The gestation period for a chinchilla is 111 days.
Suitable for:
Female chinchillas may not be ideal picks for novice owners because they tend to be quite territorial in pairs or groups. This will greatly depend on their individual personality and socialisation, but it may pose a significant health risk for the animals as well as their owner if they get bitten while trying to intervene.
Male Chinchilla Overview
As with the female, no distinct personality differences exist in a male chinchilla. Your furry buddy will have special quirks all his own. But they do behave differently with their fellow mates—and they sexually mature very fast.
Cage Mates
A male will typically get along very well with other female cage mates. However, you can expect almost immediate reproduction. Chinchillas may quickly reach sexual maturity within 4 to 5 months, so it may start much sooner than you expect.
Males tend to be less territorial with each other, but some might have issues living with other boys because of aggression and territorial behavior. Your chinchillas can get seriously injured in the process.
It’s still possible to have two males together, but it should be early on, preferably as babies, to ensure proper socialisation. Males who are known to spew should always be monitored.
Temperament
Males can be territorial, although they seem to be more amiable than females. Introducing a new male chinchilla when both are fully grown might take a long time or never work out. They could take this as a direct threat to what’s theirs—and there will definitely be squabbles until the hierarchy is established.
In this sense, they can be much more temperamental than females.
Size
Males might be a tad smaller than females, but that’s not always true—so, never rely on size to determine sex.
Breeding
If you plan to use your male chinchilla as a stud, you should start breeding them before 2 years old. Male chinchillas are at their prime between the first 1-2 years of life. Typically, professionals recommend starting this process between 7-8 months old.
Suitable for:
A pair of males can come in handy if you already have females ready to breed. Or, you may have already had chinchillas in the past, and the challenge of keeping boys is not as immense as in the case of females. Male chinchillas are perfect for owners who know all about a chinchilla’s particular style.
How to Sex Your Chinchilla at Home
There are a few ways to sex your chinchilla. Chinchillas aren’t like rats or hamsters, which have sizable testicles that are hard to miss. They’re a little trickier. Before you check at all, make sure your chinchilla is comfortable and secure.
If There’s a Gap, It’s a Chap!
If you look under the tail base, you’ll see their anus connected to another opening. Both males and females have the same space, but males have a gap between them. Female parts connect directly to the anus. If you see the two side-by-side, it might be easier to tell.
There are some instances where it can get confusing. You may mistake a male for a female or vice versa, especially if you check too early. You can always take your chinchilla to a vet or check with the seller before purchase.
Which One Is Best?
If you’re still mulling over whether to get a male or female, let’s break it down a little further. Ask yourself a few questions to pin down which sex to pick.
Is this your first pet or your first chinchilla?
If so, it might be easier to get a single Chinchilla or an already bonded pair.
Are you a seasoned owner?
If you have owned chinchillas before, you’re used to their behavior and care, so you can have two bonded females or males without a hassle. You can manage them just fine and address any issues with sparring as they arise.
Do you plan on having multiples?
Having only one chinchilla, if you dedicate plenty of time and care to them, will be just fine. Alternatively, you can keep already socialized pairs or multiple females or males, with males ideally being neutered, to avoid breeding. However, keeping more than one chinchilla is also a big responsibility and requires a lot of patience, experience, and knowledge on proper introductions and body language.
Do you plan on breeding your chinchilla?
Since males and females can breed as early as 4-5 months in some cases, you will need to get both males and females, but it’s important to keep them separated until you’re ready. Breeding should not be attempted before both males and females are at least 8 months old. Remember, you can have multiple females to one male, too. However, breeding chinchillas is a great responsibility and a complex process, which can go wrong in inexperienced hands and should not be taken lightly.
Do you already have a chinchilla?
If you’re thinking of getting your chinchilla a buddy, remember—always make sure they’re the same sex, or that the male has been neutered. Also, introduce them slowly so they can get acquainted with one another.
Which Sex Is Right for You?
Ultimately, only you have a say in whether you get a boy or a girl. Just remember a few things about having chinchillas.
These animals do require a lot of care and experience, and having a chinchilla is a great responsibility. Do your best to find out the sex before you house chinchillas together. If you figure out you made a mistake later, try to separate them as soon as you can to avoid breeding too early. Oh, and chinchillas can fight—so prepare yourself.
No matter what you decide, you’re sure to have lots of laughs and super soft cuddles with these adorable little Chilean rodents.
Read Also:
- Can Chinchillas Eat Guinea Pig Food? What You Need to Know!
- When Do Chinchillas Sleep, & How Much Sleep Do They Need?
Featured Image Credit: Female – webandi, Pixabay; Male – Lyona, Shutterstock
