What is the maximum lifespan documented for woodrats living under favorable wild conditions?
Answer
Up to six years
Woodrats are notable among wild rodents for their relatively long potential lifespan. Under conditions where resources are sufficient and predation risks are managed, individuals have been documented surviving for as long as six years in their natural habitats. This notable longevity, when combined with their strong site fidelity—their tendency to return to and continually use the same midden structure over time—directly contributes to the impressive accumulation of debris and resources observed in well-established woodrat homes over successive seasons.
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