Chinchillas are awesome pets with the thickest and softest fur. Every chinchilla has a slightly different personality, and their individual characters make looking after these animals even more rewarding.
So, you’re about to choose your new pet, but you’re not sure which gender would be best.
Up next in this article, we will consider the major differences between a male vs female chinchilla that will help you pick the right sex pet for you.
Key Takeaway:
Female chinchillas are larger and heavier than males. During estrus, they are sometimes more aggressive. They are often referred to as sows or does. Males are 30% smaller than females and are called bucks. Both genders like to have cage mates.
Will the gender of your pets affect their personalities? What must novice owners know about the difference between a male and female chinchilla?
Coming up next in this article, you will see a complete comparison between the two genders and will find out which will best suit you. So, let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
Male vs Female Chinchilla
So, you’re just about to adopt a pet chinchilla, and that’s marvelous! Chinchillas are good-natured and love spending time with one another and with their owners.
But you now have the most important decision to make.
Should you get a male or female chinchilla?
Up next, we are going to have a look at all of the differences between a male and female chinchilla to help you decide which will be best for you.
Let’s get comparing!
Size
For our first comparison, we are going to take a look at the size difference between male and female chinchillas. This will help you choose the right size enclosure for your pet rodent that will meet its needs.
What size are chinchillas?
A female chinchilla in captivity tends to be about 30% larger than a male. However, the size difference between the two sexes is much more obvious in domestic chinchillas than it is in wild chinchillas.
Pet chinchillas are normally almost double the size of those in the wild. Chinchillas need large enclosures to feel comfortable in captivity.
If you choose a female chinchilla, be aware that it will grow to be much larger than the male.
Weight
Another area in which male and female chinchillas differ is their weight.
How much do they weigh?
Long-tailed chinchillas in captivity weigh a lot more than wild chinchillas. The females, for example, weigh up to 800 g in captivity but only up to 450 g in the wild.
Male long-tailed chinchillas in captivity weigh up to 600 g but only up to 493 g in the wild.
Regardless of their weights in the wild and in captivity, you will have already noticed something interesting. Yes, female chinchillas are heavier than males!
If you choose a female chinchilla, be aware that it will be slightly heavier than the male.
Personalities
Many people wonder whether the sex of the chinchilla changes its nature and how well it will get on with its owner and other chinchillas.
Can male and female chinchillas be kept together?
Chinchillas are good-natured, and both males and females tend to be very social creatures. In the wild, they live together in groups of up to 100 members called herds.
A male chinchilla can live with a female and they will get on very well together.
The only time when female chinchillas become more aggressive is during estrus. At this time, females will show aggression towards one another and to any males in the enclosure.
Although female chinchillas can act aggressively at this time, serious fighting is extremely rare between them.
Both male and female chinchillas are good-natured animals, but the females can act aggressively during estrus.
Cage Mates
If you would like to house more than one chinchilla, you must make sure that they will all get along. You want cage mates that complement one another, as chinchillas like to be in one another’s company.
Which gender groups are most successful?
A female chinchilla can live with other females and with males and get on very well. Small groups of chinchillas are best because they like to spend time with one another.
It is best to always have at least two chinchillas living together, such as two females, two males, or a neutered male and a female, so they do not get lonely.
A male chinchilla can live with other males and with females. But you should never put groups of mixed genders together unless the males have been neutered.
While it is possible for you to neuter females, this is less common.
Even after passing sexual maturity, your chinchillas will continue to get along while living in the same cage. If you want to introduce a chinchilla of either gender into the cage, you’ll need to act with caution.
Chinchillas are often aggressive and territorial with those they don’t know. To prevent aggression, keep the chinchillas in separate enclosures to begin with and allow them to play with one another while you supervise them.
Once the animals get used to one another and no longer show signs of aggression, move them into the same cage.
Small groups of males and females work well, but you must introduce new chinchillas into the cage gradually.
Parenting
Male and female chinchillas reach sexual maturity at 8 months old. After that, mature females can become pregnant and give birth to one or two chinchilla babies called kits.
How do both female and male chinchillas take part in parenting?
Females will look after their kits and keep them warm when they are born. In the wild, she will go and look for food for the kits to eat.
If a female cannot produce milk for her kits, other females that are lactating will take over the role of feeding the young.
Males will also have an active role in looking after the kits, unlike in other rodents. They will keep them warm when they are born and will take care of them while the mother is away looking for food.
Both males and females play important roles in bringing up kits.
Names
Chinchillas are exotic pets that are native to South America. If you’re keeping chinchillas for the first time, you’re no doubt intrigued to find out their correct names.
What is a female chinchilla called?
There aren’t any unanimously accepted names for male or female chinchillas, but people often refer to the female as a sow or a doe. The young girl kit is sometimes called a doelet.
What is a male chinchilla called?
Males are often called bucks. The young boy kit is often called a bucklet.
Females are called sows or does, while males are called bucks.
Sex
When you get your chinchilla home from the breeder or pet shop, you might want to check which sex your new pet is.
But what if you’re not sure how to tell if a chinchilla is male or female?
Female chinchillas do not have a gap between the urethra and the anus. Males, on the other hand, do have a gap.
Only male chinchillas have hair rings.
To tell the sex of your chinchilla, compare the gap between the urethra and anus.
Quick Comparison of Male and Female Chinchillas
| Male Chinchillas | Female Chinchillas |
|---|---|
| Smaller | Bigger |
| Weigh up to 600 g | Weigh up to 800 g |
| Always good-natured | Mostly good-natured |
| Can live with either gender | Can live with either gender |
| Take good care of kits | Take good care of kits |
| Known as a buck | Known as a sow or a doe |
| Have hair rings | Do not have hair rings |
Great Names for Female and Male Chinchillas
No matter whether they are male or female, chinchillas make awesome pets.
One of the most exciting things about getting a new pet is finding a name for it.
Would you like to see some name ideas?
Then check out the following fantastic and unique names for chinchillas.
Chinchilla Female Names
Are you looking for a strong female name for a chinchilla with a big personality?
Then have a look at the following names that will suit your fluffy girl.
- Violet
- Dazzle
- Luna
- Chewie
- Jazzy
- Twiggy
- Ruby
- Sugar
- Bundle
- Dawn
- Pastel
- Misty
- Mocha
- Daisy
- Blush
Chinchilla Male Names
Did you just bring a male chinchilla home from the pet store?
Then you are no doubt now looking for the very best name to give it. So stop right here, as up next we have a list of the best names for males to match their endearing personalities and gorgeous fur coat colors.
- Basher
- Rocky
- Indie
- Dusty
- Chin
- Olive
- Gadget
- Widget
- Ash
- Dusk
- Dash
- Chewy
- Buckie
- Baxter
Chinchilla Male vs Female: Which Is Best for You?
Whether you would like to adopt just one chinchilla or several, choosing between the two genders is challenging. There are not many differences between the genders and this makes the choice harder.
So, what’s the verdict? Male vs female chinchilla, which one is the right pet for you?
Choose a female chin if:
- You want a larger chinchilla
- You want a heavier chinchilla
Choose a male chin if:
- You want a slightly smaller chinchilla
- You want a lighter chinchilla
- You want a pet that is placid in nature all year round
Did you find this information interesting?
At Oddly Cute Pets, we always strive to provide you with the best information about chinchillas, hamsters, guinea pigs, and other pets. For more guides on breeding, feeding, and looking after these small animals, check out our website.
Thanks for reading!
