He didn't bother trying to clarify that the animals on the planet were both genders- mostly because he and Boone arbitrarily decided one was the mother and one was the father, even if one had it and one weened it and they ended up thoroughly confused by that.

Tough guys generally weren't good with these kinds of things.

"Maybe you'll be lucky and it will be as affectionate as it's mother. Mine is pretty sweet. She just wants attention all the time. And don't worry, creepers don't even like to be near them. Your baby shall be safe."