Pet shop mis-sexed hamster

[BooseysMom]

We specifically asked PaH for a male and ended up with a female! The girl who sold it to us seemed very knowledgeable as she had owned several hamsters and we trusted she knew what sex it was when we chose it. She never checked it though and they never allow you to hold the hamsters which is annoying as then I could have checked. We don't have the heart to take the hamster back. But I had my suspicions from the start. Females are so much feistier than males and this one refuses to be held.
So has anyone else had this happen and what did you do?

I've had a few female hamsters and they were lovely and gentle. I think you should just work at handling her gently everyday with treats.

So... Have you sexed it yourself? You didn't ask for her to hold it up so you could check?

It sort of reads you think it's female because it's feisty not because you've looked

Male Syrian hamsters have MASSIVE balls. They’re not hard to sex.

I had a female hamster called Bonjella. She became really tame after some work. I used to take her out with me and she’d sit in my pocket.

The sex of a hamster doesn't make it tame or not. It's a complete lottery.

So... Have you sexed it yourself? You didn't ask for her to hold it up so you could check?

Yes I sexed it myself. There are no balls, just a hole and lots of teats! I'd say that's female wouldn't you?! Next time I won't be trusting what they tell me, I'll def check for myself.

The sex of a hamster doesn't make it tame or not. It's a complete lottery.

That's what the shop told us but everyone we have spoken to say males are far tamer. We'll just have to persevere with her.

Thanks for all your replies.

We live our female hamsters. They are lovely, although IMO they need more space and enrichment than males.

We love*

I’ve always chosen females ( partly to avoid the massive balls!) and haven’t had a nasty one. All PaH hamsters, one was a bit shyer than the others - the others used to beg for attention whenever they were awake and we were around.

By the way, males have tears too!

Teats

Are you sure it’s not got testicles? If it’s young they’re not that big.

I've never heard of sex affecting tameness, is that information from experts (e.g. breeders or vets) or unqualified people (I'd be worried about confirmation bias)?

From my own experience (albeit non expert, but I've owned a few hamsters) I'd say that sex has nothing to do with tameness, it's all about handling. It's likely your hamster wasn't handled enough in the shop. I'd try to engage by using food to get her closer to you and used to you, then gradually start to handle more over time.

...I would also say that disposition can be a complete lottery (as mentioned above) but you can still work with it.

I always had females and after working f with them for a while all were very tame.

By the way, males have tears too!

No way! I am a novice owner so learning every day I guess!

I've never heard of sex affecting tameness, is that information from experts (e.g. breeders or vets) or unqualified people (I'd be worried about confirmation bias)?

It was from people at the shop, one of whom was a long term owner so I guessed he must know what he's talking about. But it's funny the way the shop and owners here on MN say the opposite.

Last night we made some progress with taming her anyway. She (or he!) was quite interested in us and came up to sniff our noses whilst in a safe tunnel. She/he also is a poo machine! I've never seen so much poo come out of a hamster! It gets tangled up in her hair as she's a long haired.
Btw we have called her Snowball. We had a very tame male previously who liked to be stroked on the head and would fall asleep on you. So we have a way to go with this one.

OMFG, she’s so cute!

I miss having hamsters. They’re amazing creatures.

One of my females was so tame she used to sleep on me. Or if I had a shirt on with a breast pocket, she would sleep in there.

She also recognised my voice. She would pop out if she heard me. I adored her, I was about 16 although the time.

Honestly, they have always been great.

I’ve had several pet shop hamsters of both sexes over the years. All were skittish and bitey to begin with. You just have to handle them every day and they soon calm down. Females are much busier than males and more entertaining. They need a huge cage and wheel to thrive. IKEA detolfs work well.

The pooping is a nervous thing. She’ll do less as she settles.

She’s gorgeous!

She is well cute. And I don't normally like many hampsters!

This happened to us. Sold a male hamster. Clearly a female. We haven’t told the kids. She still has her boy name.

Agree with above posters, the sex shouldn't make too much difference if she's socialised well, which you're working on 🙂

Pets at Home keep us at the Animal Rescues very busy. Selling people pets in pairs of the opposite sex, cue litters and we're over run as usual. Idiots.

Thanks everyone

One of my females was so tame she used to sleep on me. Or if I had a shirt on with a breast pocket, she would sleep in there.

This is exactly what our first hamster did. I could get him to fall asleep with my 'magic fingers' by stroking his head and behind his ears.

We went to PaH yesterday and they told us how to check the sex again. We tried it but she wouldn't keep still enough and her hair is getting so long I gave up!

Interesting about the pooping thing being down to nerves. We will continue with the daily gentle handling and she ought to settle.

Thanks again

Unfortunately PaH get their rodents from rodent mills, probably the first time they were handled was when they were grabbed out a tank, shoved in a box and shipped to the shop.

For future reference, it's better to get Hammies from reputable breeders, who will not only sex correctly, but have bred them to be more healthy and have handled them :)
hamsters-uk.org/finding-breeders/