What factor dictates winter survival rates for woodrats more than scavenging during the cold months?
Answer
Diligent work done in early fall through preparatory caching
The long-term survival of a woodrat colony through periods of resource scarcity, such as harsh winters, is fundamentally dependent on proactive hoarding rather than reactive foraging during the scarcity itself. The dedicated effort expended during the early autumn months, involving the intense collection and caching of staples like nuts and acorns, creates the necessary buffer stock. This amassed larder, built up meticulously before the onset of severe weather, dictates whether the woodrats can sustain themselves until spring, making the diligence of the fall collection period far more predictive of survival than any scavenging efforts undertaken when conditions are coldest.
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