---
title: "How long does a bottlenose dolphin last?"
description: "A bottlenose dolphin lasts 30–60 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/bottlenose-dolphin/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a bottlenose dolphin last?

**Typical lifespan: 30–60 yr**

The dolphin most people picture, and the one most often kept in aquaria.

## How that compares

*Bottlenose dolphin against things of a similar time.*

- Bottlenose dolphin: 30–60 yr
- Gorilla: 35–55 yr
- Ostrich: 30–50 yr
- Orangutan: 35–58 yr
- Black rhinoceros: 35–45 yr
- Dromedary camel: 25–50 yr
- Walrus: 30–40 yr
- Manatee: 30–60 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.025 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 a bottlenose dolphin

- [How much does a bottlenose dolphin weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/bottlenose-dolphin/) — 150–650 kg
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-tiger/) — Side by side
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs California sea lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-california-sea-lion/) — Side by side
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-lion/) — Side by side
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Grizzly bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-grizzly-bear/) — Side by side
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a bottlenose dolphin last?

A bottlenose dolphin lasts 30–60 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a bottlenose dolphin weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/bottlenose-dolphin/)
- [How long does a lion last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/)
- [How long does a tiger last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/tiger/)
- [How long does a domestic cat last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/domestic-cat/)
- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/)
- [How long does a blue whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/blue-whale/)
- [How long does a great white shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/great-white-shark/)
- [How long does a cheetah last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/cheetah/)
- [How long does a polar bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/polar-bear/)
- [How long does a giraffe last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/giraffe/)
- [How long does a gorilla last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/gorilla/)
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-tiger/)
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs California sea lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-california-sea-lion/)
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-lion/)
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Grizzly bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-grizzly-bear/)
- [Bottlenose dolphin vs Polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/bottlenose-dolphin-vs-polar-bear/)

## Sources

- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration — NOAA (https://www.noaa.gov/) [Public domain (US Government)]