---
title: "How long does a black mamba last?"
description: "A black mamba lasts 10–20 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/black-mamba/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a black mamba last?

**Typical lifespan: 10–20 yr**

The fastest snake and Africa's longest venomous one; it is named for the black inside of its mouth, not its colour.

## How that compares

*Black mamba against things of a similar time.*

- Car: 8–20 yr
- Black mamba: 10–20 yr
- Tiger: 8–26 yr
- Washing machine: 8–14 yr
- Water heater: 8–15 yr
- German shepherd: 9–13 yr
- Golden retriever: 10–13 yr
- Doberman pinscher: 10–13 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0909 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 2.7 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 a black mamba

- [How much does a black mamba weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/black-mamba/) — 1–3.1 kg
- [Black mamba vs Peregrine falcon](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-peregrine-falcon/) — Side by side
- [Black mamba vs Mallard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-mallard/) — Side by side
- [Black mamba vs King cobra](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-king-cobra/) — Side by side
- [Black mamba vs Platypus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-platypus/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a black mamba last?

A black mamba lasts 10–20 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a black mamba weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/black-mamba/)
- [How long does a lion last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/)
- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/)
- [How long does a cheetah last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/cheetah/)
- [How long does a giraffe last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/giraffe/)
- [How long does a gorilla last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/gorilla/)
- [How long does a hippopotamus last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/hippopotamus/)
- [How long does a chimpanzee last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/chimpanzee/)
- [How long does a saltwater crocodile last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/saltwater-crocodile/)
- [How long does a American alligator last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/american-alligator/)
- [How long does a ostrich last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/ostrich/)
- [Black mamba vs Peregrine falcon](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-peregrine-falcon/)
- [Black mamba vs Mallard](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-mallard/)
- [Black mamba vs King cobra](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-king-cobra/)
- [Black mamba vs Platypus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-mamba-vs-platypus/)

## Sources

- Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (https://www.wikidata.org/) [CC0 1.0]