A question about Degu's private parts

[beardedjqb]

As in title, I have noticed that my Degus member has been always sticking out ever since i got him. Is it normal? Should i be worried?
I have attached a photo of it.

Attachments:

[savvy]

Welcome to the forum.

From what I can see, you're looking at the urethral cone. All degus have this, both male and female.

It's commonly mistaken for a penis which is why degus are frequently miss-sexed. To accurately sex them you need to look at the gap between the cone and the anus. No gap and it's a girl, big gap and it's a boy.

[bouncy]

Ditto Savvy. All have a cone! You'll know when their penis is out - it protrudes from the cone, is longer than you give them credit for, and they often partake in regular personal grooming.

[teemu]

Yeah, that's how degus are. It's essentially similar to a foreskin (that is, a protective skin covering around the organ that keeps it clean and safe when not in use), and the penis comes out of it when the degu needs it for whatever.

You should check your degus' parts regularly, though, since some degus are prone to a prolapsed penis, which is when the penis can't go back inside the cone. This can cause it to dry or for dirt to get stuck on it, which makes things worse. Your boy's parts look totally normal now, though, so no worries, it's just something that degu owners should keep in mind as something that can happen. If it looks like a degu is just dangling their privates out for all to see even when doing other things, it needs to be addressed (possibly by a vet).

[beardedjqb]

So It;s normal, but could you guys tell me what is his gender?

[savvy]

Can you post a picture from a slightly different angle? Maybe from beneath when he is sitting down, you can use a glass bowl to get a clear view? We need to be able to see the gap between the back of the cone and his anus.

[bouncy]

My initial thought is male, but we will need a photo from a different angle.