Do males hump each other? - Paw Talk

POKERSAUSAGE · #1 10-09-2007, 04:58 PM

Can somebody please help me.

I have had my degus for about 5 weeks and I noticed tonight that one of them was humping the other and then seemed to lick his willie
He chased the other around the cage for about 10 mins with the other one squeaking at him.

I cannot hold them to sex them properly but have noticed little willies (I think) on both of them.

Would you think that one of them is female or is one just randy?

I am very confused.

**Sasami** · #2 10-09-2007, 05:02 PM

Males sometimes hump each other for dominance but it is also possible one is female. One trick to sexing hyper rodents is to catch them in a small clear container/jar/exercise ball. Then you can look at them without actually holding them.

Or you could ask a vet/good petstore to help?

Amethystbelle · #3 10-09-2007, 05:25 PM

I have all males and they all hump one another (usually take it in turns) and do the licking thing but i'll leave exactly what they are doing up to your imagination

Both male and female degus however have hanging appendages so its always worth double checking they are the same sex, the glass jar like Sasami mentioned is a good trick if you can't handle them easily

POKERSAUSAGE · #4 10-10-2007, 03:59 AM

It wont scare them too much being in a jar will it?

They are quite friendly and will sit on your shoulder but will not stay still and the thought of turning them upside down leaves me in scratches lol

I will have to look for a suitable jar for them.

Thanx for all the advice.

Angelnstuff · #5 10-10-2007, 04:06 AM

we had to do this with my brothers gerbils, they might be a bit frightened, but they will be ok, i would find a nice size jar, and maybe just set it in there cage for a little bit so they can get used to it, and maybe play in it a bit, then scoop one up in it.

leplake · #6 10-10-2007, 07:24 PM

As everyone else said, yes males hump each other, but it's a dominance thing. If there was real (successful) mating involved, you'd most likely hear high pitched repetitive (anywhere from 2 mins to hours) chirps from the male. Very loud and nearly impossible to miss if you are in the same house. I found this out the hard way 3 weeks after I got my 3 "female" degus, I now know I have 1 male, and 2 pregnant females.

POKERSAUSAGE · #7 10-11-2007, 04:10 AM

Thankyou Leplake

The only one that was squeeking was the one that was humped and that seemed to be a warning to get off.

I think from what everyone has told me that is was a dominance thing and I will stop worrying. (although the other half wants babies).

mebri123 · #8 10-11-2007, 04:48 PM

not to make you worry more but
both sexes look like they have little willies.... to me anyhow so you have to see if the space between thier willie and thier bung hole is the same distance if it is not they are oposite sex

rae · #9 10-12-2007, 02:03 PM

i think they make a barky type of noise once they have done the dirty, if its a high squeal could well be a, warning to bugger off! my boys do it, especially when i have friends round, lol i would deffo check the buthole. goodluck x