Um, does Jimmy need a name change?

[leni]

Ok, this probably sounds dumb, but I have read a lot on here about sexing chinchillas and how pet stores don't always do it correctly and I looked at Jimmy and thought he looked like a male but now that I have seen more pictures as examples I am not sure. I think Zim is older and he has a definite gap between his cone and anus and the cone is longer on him so I am pretty sure he is a boy, but with Jimmy I am no longer sure. And it worries me because they are separated now but I did introduce them in the playpen a couple of weeks ago and they were together in the pet store with another chin. I tried to take a picture and I know it isn't the best quality but it was the best I could do at the moment because now that he has ringworm and I have to put the cream on him and hold him for a while he isn't really happy about being handled so it was the best shot we could take. I will try later for a better one if I can, I just want to know if I need to make some preparations in the future in case of any possible babies. I feel like a total idiot now.:hair:

 

[RDZCRanch]

It's really hard to see from that angle. Try taking one from the back...like in this thread.
http://chins-n-hedgies.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16957

 

[leni]

Oh ok, well here's one I tried and that is probably all I can get right now because Jimmy's in full play mode and there is no keeping him still for sure now.

 

[Becky]

There's not a lot of space, but there is some, so Jimmy is really Jimmy.

 

[leni]

Oh ok that is good to know, thanks! I know the space thing is what was making me think he was a boy but after seeing all the pictures I got kind of confused, lol. If not I was renaming him Martha Stewart for all the redecorating he does in his cage.

 

[RDZCRanch]

I actually have to disagree with Becky on this one. I can see a vaginal slit and the line/opening on the cone is on the side facing the anus which indicated a female.

Jimmy is a girl.

 

[threewingedfury]

I agree with Tab, Jimmy looks like a female to me.

 

[kimbt622]

I actually have to disagree with Becky on this one. I can see a vaginal slit and the line/opening on the cone is on the side facing the anus which indicated a female.

Jimmy is a girl.

Though i'm nowhere near an expert.. i would agree with Tab and say he's a she. i see a slit as well and the space is very minimal.

 

[3CsMommy]

That chin doesn't look anything like my male does belowstairs. I'm thinking girl too, but I'm no expert. (I just unfortunately get to see a lot of my chin's dangly bits b/c he likes to sit on my head.)

 

[cindyv3737]

I think you've got a Martha Stewart on yuor hands. Looks a lot like Shelly's bits.

 

[leni]

Majority rule then :/ Martha it is then. I will keep an eye on her then to make sure there are no more surprises. Thanks for the advice guys!

 

[leni]

Actually no my husband and I hate Martha so we came up with a different name lol. It'll be weird to think of her as not Jimmy so decided on Jemma since that's close sounding. I did hear once that Martha Stewart does have 15 chinchillas though, hmm.

 

[mishellyshel]

Jemma is a pretty name. I guess you never caught Jimmy/Jemma grooming him/her self.
That is usually a tell tale sign.

 

[leni]

Oh what do you mean?

 

[3CsMommy]

Males can put... themselves... in their mouths to help clear off/out shed hair. It's kind of a 'train wreck' moment the first time you notice it: it's gross and not something you want to see but you just can't look away.

 

[fanofdmb84]

There are...ahem...several youtube videos of boys 'cleaning' themselves. It really is hard not to watch :-\ But I agree, the first time you catch one doing it, you'll never forget.

Anyway, congratulations on your 'new' little girl! The same thing happened to me. I came home with two boys, and a few days later I had a boy and a girl.

 

[leni]

Ohh I gotcha, hahaha thanks, Jemma is just as beautiful a little girl as she was a gorgeous little boy Now that you told me about that grooming thing I will probably walk in on Zim doing it lol

 

[Riven]

Not to pick on anyone person, but why is it if the chin had it's foot in it's mouth people would say that it had it's foot in it's mouth? Penis is a body part, not a bad word.

I agree it's a girl, and I was going to suggest Jinny! Keep an eye on her and watch for signs of babies on the way. Good thing you found out before she was caged with another boy!

 

[leni]

Haha Riven I thought of Jinny too except when I tried it I kept slipping and calling her Jimmy lol so I thought I should change it at least a little. And yeah I am preparing for any babies, I'm completely cleaning both of the cages and switching them because Zim's cage has smaller bar spacing. Jemma was with both Zim and another Chin at the pet store when I got her about 8 weeks ago and Jemma and Zim did get introduced briefly in the playpen a couple of weeks ago so who knows what may have happened.

 

[Evelyn]

I like Jemma! And I'm a new chin owner so I won't make comment about the sex of your baby