How to tell if your
rabbit is male or
female
Rabbit sexing can be difficult. Inaccurate sexing happens regularly, leading to accidental pregnancies or unexpected aggression between rabbits. Thankfully, adopted rabbits will already be sexed and neutered before rehoming – but for those wanting to identify rabbits who aren’t yet sexed, here’s what you need to know.
On this page you’ll learn why it’s important and how to accurately identify the sex of your rabbits with our step-by-step and visual guide.
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Why sexing rabbits is important
Companionship is as vital to rabbits as a quality diet and safe environment – meaning the choice of pairing is crucial. Find out more about choosing a suitable buddy for your bunny here.
Being able to carefully and correctly identify the sex of a rabbit will reduce unwanted pregnancies, prevent aggression between rabbits and can help ensure they live in harmony together.
Adopted rabbits will already be sexed and neutered at the rescue centre before you take them home, saving you the money and the stress!
How to safely handle rabbits during checks
When sexing a bunny, do so carefully. Follow the steps below to help make the process as safe and stress-free as possible.
- 1 Ask somebody to help: It can be difficult to hold your rabbit and sex them at the same time, so having assistance can make it easier.
- 2 Choose a quiet area: Such as on a towel-covered table (to prevent them slipping off if they wriggle) or sitting comfortably on the floor with the rabbit in your lap. Try to stay calm, so you don’t cause them any unnecessary stress.
- 3 Place one hand across their chest: With a firm but gentle grip, hold the rabbit upright and close to your body to keep them secure, with their legs out in front of you.
- 4 Place the other hand under their bottom: This will support their weight fully. You should now be in a position to identify the sex. Together, this is known as the C-hold.
Note: Your rabbits may struggle and experience stress if they’re not used to being handled. If so, try again when they’re calmer. If they remain stressed, ask your vet to check their sex for you instead.
Important to remember
Never hold a rabbit on their back, as this can lead to great stress and tonic immobility. Find out more here.
Identifying the sex of your rabbits
To identify if your rabbit is a male or female, first part the fur above the genitals and apply gentle pressure.
If your rabbit is male
The penis should then emerge, which appears like a pink tube with a rounded opening. The anus sits at the lowest point below and separate from the genitals. Don’t assume you’ll see testicles, as males younger than around 10 to 12 weeks don't have obvious testes, which can make them harder to identify – neutered males won't have any.
If your rabbit is female
Nothing will emerge, and instead you’ll see a vulva, which is pointy and with a slit-shaped opening. The anus and vagina are immediately next to each other.
Common mistakes when sexing rabbits
Learning how to swiftly and safely sex rabbits takes practice. Making mistakes is both common and completely okay – just try again when you feel ready, take your time, handle the rabbit gently, and help ensure the rabbit is safe and calm.
Common mistakes include:
- Sexing rabbits too early: Rabbits younger than 10 to 12 weeks don’t always have obvious genitals. After 12 weeks, their sex becomes clearer.
- Handling them incorrectly: If you’re not securely or comfortably holding the rabbit, they may squirm and wriggle, which can lead to injury.
- Not applying enough (gentle) pressure: If the rabbit is male, for example, this may mean the penis doesn’t emerge, which can lead to misidentifying them as female.
- Mistaking the shape of the opening: The difference between the penis and vulva can be subtle and hard to spot at first, especially if the rabbit is moving.
- Assuming you’ll see testicles: Male rabbits younger than 10 to 12 weeks don’t have obvious testes, meaning you likely won’t see them. Rabbits can also retract their testicles back into their abdomen when stressed or in cold weather. This can lead to misidentifying them as female.
Getting a rabbit’s sex right really matters. An incorrect guess can lead to unexpected pregnancies and litters, potentially adding to the number of rabbits already in need of a home. If in doubt, get them professionally checked!
Neutering and preventing unwanted litters
Accurately sexing rabbits can help prevent unwanted litters. As female rabbits can get pregnant at just four months old, sexing them as soon as possible (from 10 to 12 weeks) allows you to separate them from unneutered males as soon as you’re able to tell them apart.
Neutering your rabbits is crucial. Not only does it prevent reproduction and lowers the risk of reproductive cancers, it also stops further contribution to the ‘rabbit crisis’ – with more and more unwanted litters filling up rescue centres.
When to ask a vet for help
If you're still not sure whether your rabbits are male or female, you want advice on how to safely handle your rabbits, or you’re unsure about any other part of the process, the best thing to do is talk to your vet. They can provide advice or sex your rabbits for you.
Pet rabbit rehoming
Adopt a rabbit
Looking to rehome a rabbit or two? You don’t need to go down a rabbit hole of your own – we can find the right bunnies for you and your home.
How to tell whether a rabbit is male or female
Perhaps you're first-time rabbit owners, or you've just got a pair of new rabbits. It can be tricky to tell male and female rabbits apart, so we've put together handy illustrated guides to help you below.
How to hold your rabbits
Be firm and gentle when handling your rabbits - and stay quiet and calm.
If they're not used to being handled, this could be stressful for them and they may struggle and try to escape. If so, try again when they are calmer. If they remain stressed, please ask your vet to check their sex for you instead.
When you're trying to sex rabbits, it can be easier to sit with them on your lap or on a table, as they can wriggle. Put a towel on the table first to make it less slippery. Don't hold them on their back as they find this very stressful.
It will be difficult to hold your rabbit and sex them simultaneously, so it's best to ask someone to help you.
To handle your rabbit, keep them secure by placing one hand across their chest.
Hold them upright and close to your body.
Place one hand under their bottom. This will support their weight fully. You should now be in a position to identify the sex.
How to tell if your rabbit is male
This rabbit is a young male, around eight weeks old. Males under 10 weeks don't have obvious testes, and neutered males won't have any.
- To see the genitals more clearly, part the fur above them.
- Apply gentle pressure and the penis will emerge
- The anus sits at the lowest point below the genitals and is separate from the genitals.
How to tell if your rabbit is female
This young female is around eight weeks old.
- To see the genitals more clearly, part the fur above them.
- Apply gentle pressure and nothing will emerge.
- The vagina and anus are immediately next to each other.
If in doubt, ask your vet
If you're still not sure whether your rabbits are male or female, or if you want advice on how to handle your rabbits, please talk to your vet.
Neutering
Neutering can stop unwanted pregnancies, help stop same-sex pairs from fighting and guard against some diseases.
