Page 125 - Zoo Animal Learning and Training

Chapter 6 Introduction to Animals 109

(a) (b)
Anus

Anus
Anal–genital distance
Anal–genital
distance
Vulva Prepuce -
Testicles – if penis
present

FIGURE 6.22 (a) Female and (b) male cat genitalia. Note the anal–genital distance.

Male hamsters, gerbils, mice, and rats are fairly easy to
determine if you hold them around the shoulders and let
their back legs hang. The testicles will drop into the scrotal
sack and be visible. Female rats and mice will have visible nip-
ples at 10 days of age. Plus, by using the anogenital distance,
you will be able to judge male from female quite reliably.
Figures 6.25 and 6.26 are photos of pocket pet genitalia.
Guinea pigs are a bit different anatomically. The female’s
FIGURE 6.23 Cat’s penis. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Used under vulva is shaped like a Y, whereas the male’s prepuce is a
CC‐BY‐SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Penis‐cat.jpg. round dot surrounded by the testicles (Figure 6.27).

(a) (b)

Vulva

Anal–genital Penis
distance
Anal–genital
Anus distance

Tail
Anus – under fingers
FIGURE 6.24 (a) Female and (b) male rabbit genitalia.

(a) (b)
Prepuce
Vulva
Anal–genital Anal–genital
distance distance
Anus
Testicles

Anus

FIGURE 6.25 (a) Female and (b) male hamster genitalia.