How to Sex Rats

How to Sex Rats

Sexing pups directly after birth is possible with a trained eye.
The urethra and anus are directly next to each other in a doe. The urethra does not extrude and the vaginal opening is not yet visible.
There is a bigger space between urethra and an anus is bucks. The urethra extrudes.
The testicles are sometimes also visible and look like two darker dots.
Because the skin around the anus is translucent, the testicles should not be confused with faeces in the colon. Rather look for two distinctive dots on the sides.

Day 9 to 14 is the easiest stage to sex pups.
Does have nipples resembling dimples lined in two rows. There is only a short distance between the urethra and anus.
Bucks have no nipples, but their naval is still visible. The distance between the urethra and anus is longer.
Once the coat grows in, this method becomes more difficult as nipples may be harder to see and testicles have not dropped yet.

From 3 weeks, sexing can be done by holding the rat upright with the tail hanging down. This allows gravity to help expose the testicles.
The distance between the urethra and anus in does is short. They have a vaginal opening just below the urethra.
Look for testicles and a larger gap between the urethra and anus in bucks.

Juveniles and adults:
Does have a vaginal opening directly behind the urethra.
Bucks now have prominent testicles.

Some does, especially older and hairless does, have a fat pad between their vaginal opening and anus that can be confused for tiny testicles.
However, when compared directly with buck testicles, there should not be confusion.
Hairless does will also have obvious nipples.

Rats of different sexes are split at 5 weeks, as they become fertile soon after this.
Does go on heat every 3 to 4 days.
When a doe is in heat, her vagina will open slightly and have a bluish purple discoloration. In some it is more obvious than others.
Another more obvious sign of a doe being in heat is ear wiggling when stimulated by a scratch on the back.
Does fall pregnant within seconds of being places with a buck.
Gestation is 21 to 24 days.
Although very unhealthy for them, they can fall pregnant again immediately after giving birth.

Rats should only be housed in same sexed pairs or groups.
If unsure of the sex of a new rat, seek confirmation from a knowledgeable breeder or veterinarian BEFORE doing any introductions.
Be responsible and prevent unplanned litters by correctly sexing all rats in a mischief.

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