Bevendre — forgive me if this might seem like two questions...

umbradevore

asked:

forgive me if this might seem like two questions in one message but how big is the hive and what are the life cycles of a changeling?

The hive is constantly growing, but as of the moment its tunnels extend through the majority of the mountain upon which Canterlot is set.

As for changeling life cycles, the average is 80-90 comparative years for drones and several centuries for Queens. Granted, it is very rare for a changeling to die of old age, and the true limits have never been tested. So long as a changeling remains well fed they remain healthy and could very well continue to live through old age. However, most are killed before they can reach this point.