This is actually simpler than you might think. You need to hold your chinchilla with its front feet resting on either your arm or your leg. You will need to hold your chinchilla quite firmly, but gentle enough not to hurt it. Next you need to grip the base of the tail, and lift it up where you should be able to get a very clear view of the genital area. This kind of hold on the chinchilla will not hurt it, but will keep it firmly in place.
You now need to take a look at the genital area. Many people confuse the female’s urethral cone for being a penis as it is actually similar in shape. The urethral cone is located directly in front of the anus, and then directly behind a very small slit. This is the vagina. If you can see this, then you can be sure that the chinchilla is female.
You need to check for a penis, too. The penis is further up from the anus, with skin that rests between the anus and the penis. This is an unquestionable sign that the chinchilla is male. Sometimes you will see that the penis lies flat, and not too noticeable. If you place your fingers just above the penis area, and stretch the skin upwards towards the head of the chinchilla, the penis will lift. By doing the same process to a female, the urethral cone would not lift like the penis does.
Checking gender is important so that you do not end up with accidental litters of chinchillas. If you’re still not sure, you need to go to your local vet. They will be able to tell you whether or not the chinchillas are male or female for sure.
You now need to take a look at the genital area. Many people confuse the female’s urethral cone for being a penis as it is actually similar in shape. The urethral cone is located directly in front of the anus, and then directly behind a very small slit. This is the vagina. If you can see this, then you can be sure that the chinchilla is female.
You need to check for a penis, too. The penis is further up from the anus, with skin that rests between the anus and the penis. This is an unquestionable sign that the chinchilla is male. Sometimes you will see that the penis lies flat, and not too noticeable. If you place your fingers just above the penis area, and stretch the skin upwards towards the head of the chinchilla, the penis will lift. By doing the same process to a female, the urethral cone would not lift like the penis does.
Checking gender is important so that you do not end up with accidental litters of chinchillas. If you’re still not sure, you need to go to your local vet. They will be able to tell you whether or not the chinchillas are male or female for sure.
