female rabbit is male

Question
I bought a female Netherland dwarf from my usual pet store and a month later, decided she needed company so got another rabbit(Himalayan Netherland).  The owner assured me she was definitely female and even double checked to make sure.  They have been together for a good 3 months now but yesterday i decided to check them both. not sure why?  but to my surprise, i discovered that the second rabbit is actually male!  I have separated them and booked him in to be done. I know it's very likely the female is pregnant but how can I tell for sure and what do i need to keep an eye on?

Answer
Hi Dawn

There is absolutely no way to tell for sure.  The only thing you can do is wait.  If you notice that she has some changes in behavior or she is plucking fur or building a nest and sometimes their bellies will get big or their nipples will swell these are pretty good indicators.  The only problem is that sometimes they have no signs at all so you just have to wait.

You are going to want to keep her in a cage for 33 -35 days from the last time she was with the boy.  You can let her out to play and stuff while you are with her but any time that you are out of the house or sleeping or whatever she will need to be put in the cage.  You will want to give her a nice nest box to have the babies in.  Here are 2 web-sites that explain how to set up a nest box.  If you read them it will explain exactly how to set them up.  I personally prefer the first one from Ms. Krempels because it also talks about the mom's health and some important tips for the babies.

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
http://www.islandgems.net/nestbox2.html

Make sure that you keep the boy close to the girl.  If they already had a close bond they will want to be close to each other or they may become extremely depressed.  It will also make it easier to re-bond them after the babies are weaned.

Once the babies are born all you really need to do is let her do her job.  Sometimes first time mom's aren't really good mom's and often time's they will lose their first litter.  Just don't be surprised if this happens.  Other time's they are perfect little mommies.  Honestly I hope for your sake that she isn't pregnant.  I know everyone wants cute little babies but it is so hard to find homes for them.  I guess you could blame the pet store and make them find homes for them but I would hate to do that because you never know what kind of horrible conditions they will end up living in.

It annoys me so much that pet stores can't tell the difference between boy's and girls.  Once you learn how it is really quite easy but if you look to close they all look like girls.  The way I tell is I know what the girls look like and I always know when its a girl.  I have never mistaken a girl.  Sometimes with the boys I second guess myself.  If I second guess myself then I know it is a boy.  I have never been wrong yet.  I suppose that is kind of a dumb way to tell but I guess whatever works for you right.  I can tell when they are 3 days old now.

Good luck Dawn and I really hope that the babies are ok.  If you need anything else please let me know.  Bless you for getting your boy neutered.  It is so nice to know that there are responsible people in this world that love bunnies as much as I do.  Sometimes I feel like singing... Bunny lovers of the world unite and take over..

Have a great night

Pam