Unsure of sex of supposedly male degus

[lottie01]

Hey!
I have my suspicions that I may have a boy and girl rather than two boys!
My two degus are around 6-7 months old and I was told by the breeder who sexed them they were both males. Since having them home, one is a little smaller and quieter than the other. The larger one (Burt) is a lot more boisterois and it seems as if he/she is being quite protective over the smaller degu (Ernie). I have been unable to handle them still after about a month now of having them. If I open the cage they just run and hide and Burt squeals at me! I have seen one of them cleaning himself (and possibly playing with) himself and he almost certainly is male!!! The other im not sure. The other day they were chirping very loudly in a happy way and when we looked I was almost sure they were mating. Do males do this to establish pecking order or should I be worried?! Im unsure as whether I will be able to handle them to take pictures of their genitalia as they are very timid
Hope someone can help, I will try to get a pic if they come up to the bars by holding a treat or something up.
Thanks,
Lot

[buzz]

Its natural for males to do the humping act for domiance and their own pleasure

But, you'd best check even if its too late. You don't have to physically turn them upside down or anything, but lift up their tails quick if possible.

[deguconvert]

Or another method to try is to coax them over to the bars of the cage and offer them a treat high up enough that they must stretch hard to almost reach it. That will help you to see their bits and get a good idea. Also have a look the new "How to Sex your degus" video that is in the Marketing Board. It is very helpful!

[lottie01]

cool will have a try tomorrow, thanks

[Dero]

I rescued mine both at 2 years old, their man bits are a cm long so I had no problem sexing em. Kinda jealous really...

[jackdaniels]

Its the distance between the papilla and the anus

[deguconvert]

Just so you know . . . top diagram is male goo, bottom is female goo.

[lottie01]

lol at my old post, my suspicions turned out to be correct, I have a male and female and now... 4 babies! born this morning!