Final answer:
The lifespan of animals is the dependent variable and the condition of the animals (pets or wild) is the independent variable in the study comparing the lifespan of domesticated animals to those living in the wild.
Step-by-step explanation:
In studies such as the one where the lifespan of animals living as pets compared to those living in the wild is examined, the dependent variable is the lifespan of the animals, while the independent variable is the condition of the animals being either pets or wild. The lifespan is dependent because it is the outcome that is being observed or measured based on the different living conditions of animals, which serve as the independent variable since it is the condition being changed or manipulated to see the effect it has on the dependent variable.