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How long does a American alligator last?

Typical lifespan
35–70 yr

A broad-snouted crocodilian of the US Southeast, recovered from near-extinction to over a million animals.

How that compares

American alligator against things of a similar time.

American alligator 35–70 yr
Orca 30–90 yr
Humpback whale 45–100 yr
Piano 30–100 yr
Nile crocodile 45–80 yr
Beluga whale 35–70 yr
Narwhal 30–90 yr
American lobster 30–100 yr

What that means over time

Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.
Period How many you would buy
Per year 0.02 replacements
Over 10 years 1 of them
Over a 30-year mortgage 1 of them

Lifespans are medians under ordinary use, not guarantees. Maintenance, how hard it is used, and build quality move individual examples a long way in both directions — which is why the range above is as wide as it is.

More about an American alligator

Common questions

How long does an American alligator last?
An American alligator lasts 35–70 yr.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked