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How long does a chimpanzee last?

Typical lifespan
30–60 yr

Along with the bonobo, humanity's closest living relative, sharing about 98.8% of our DNA.

Wild chimps average 33; captives have passed 60.

How that compares

Chimpanzee against things of a similar time.

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

What that means over time

Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.
Period How many you would buy
Per year 0.0286 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 chimpanzee

Common questions

How long does a chimpanzee last?
A chimpanzee lasts 30–60 yr. Wild chimps average 33; captives have passed 60.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked