Yup, they can get pregnant by 6 weeks (give or take) and she looks to be 12 weeks or so, so the possibility exists.  I'm a little surprised she hasn't already had a litter, actually, but I don't see any obvious nipples, so it doesn't look like she's nursing anyone... 

Hoping for your sake there will be no eepers. However, I think you're doing a marvelous job and i'm sure you can handle it if they do turn up. I do wish I lived near you so I could help out! What a gorgeous girl, so sweet looking!

If you need any help or some basic medical supplies don't hesitate to let me know. I'm downtown ottawa so I might be able to help.

Great job catching the little girl!  She is so cute.  I would get her off of the pine because it causes them respiratory problems.  If you have newspaper you could tear some up and put it in there.  Also, if you have some old clothes you can cut them up and use it as bedding.  Good luck catching the other one!  The little girl is lucky to have such a caring person looking after her.

-Jenn

Good job!  That is definately NOT a wild rat.  She's a very cute young female.  I also wonder if someone released a whole unwanted litter out there.  Poor things!  Good luck with trying to capture the male and please keep us updated.

You might think about getting a Havahart trap. I know in the US you can get them at Home Depot for around $20. Or like someone else said, perhaps a rescue would loan one/a different humane trap out. If you do catch the male you would need to keep him seperate from the female. She sure is a cutie.

 

any luck catching the other rat?

 

Sounds like the little girl is doing good!  Great job taking care of her! 

Maybe that suspected lump on the male could have been from a fight/encounter with another animal?  I'm sure others will have a more educated guess on that than me. 

 

Just to clarify Vanessa, yes, the ONRMCA has had some recent problems with the rescue part of the forum, and at present are trying to work out a new format for it, judging by the rules posted here some of which are --

1. You must be a registered member of the forum to contact anyone from our board about an adoption.

2. Send the original poster a private message regarding the adoption if you are interested.

3. If you have generic questions about the rats up for adoption that may benefit other forum members, feel free to ask them in a reply to the original post. Other more specific inquiries should be done by private message.

Remember, The Adoption Center is NOT for brow-beating people, publicly questioning their intentions, or other off-topic discussion. If you are interested in adopting, feel free to participate in the thread with relevant questions that may benefit the community (example: asking someone where they are located if they have not stated that information). Otherwise, let people conduct business in peace.

It sounds like this forum has gone through similar growing pains in the rescue area.  ONRMCA is rescue friendly, they are just trying to nip a problem in the bud and will have a new format sorted out shortly.  These two rats have been posted on ONRMCA and there is contact information there too.  Lets not beat each other up, we all have these rats interests at heart

I saw the pictures that you took of that boy, that is a nasty wound on his side.  I am concerned about infection, and this heatwave that Ontario is going through.
Have you had anyone in your area come forward to help you trap him?  Have you been able to get your hands on a humane trap?  I so wish that I lived closer, I always have a trap with me and I would lend a hand, it is so sad.
He looks in good shape right now, but he really needs medical attention for that wound.
Keep us posted when you can.

They were emailed to me by a friend in contact with balego.
If balego gives me permission, I would be more than happy to post them here.

Oh my.  Poor poor guy    He looks so incredibly starved and that wound looks excruciatingly painful   I hope he can be caught and given a good home.  I'm beginning to doubt whether either of them could reproduce so hopefully there won't be babies.  She looks so thin and young and he looks like he just doesn't have any drive of life left in him.  Poor kiddos.

I've got my fingers crossed!  That looks like a nasty wound the lil' boy has.  He looks thin, too    Hope she catches him.