---
title: "How long does a emperor penguin last?"
description: "An emperor penguin lasts 15–50 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/emperor-penguin/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a emperor penguin last?

**Typical lifespan: 15–50 yr**

The largest penguin, which breeds through the Antarctic winter and dives to over 500 m.

## How that compares

*Emperor penguin against things of a similar time.*

- Emperor penguin: 15–50 yr
- Giant panda: 15–30 yr
- American bison: 15–25 yr
- Bald eagle: 15–38 yr
- Spotted hyena: 12–25 yr
- Cow: 15–25 yr
- Red kangaroo: 12–25 yr
- American black bear: 18–30 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.05 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1.5 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 emperor penguin

- [How much does a emperor penguin weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/emperor-penguin/) — 22–45 kg
- [Emperor penguin vs Emu](https://atoneplace.net/vs/emperor-penguin-vs-emu/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does an emperor penguin last?

An emperor penguin lasts 15–50 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a emperor penguin weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/emperor-penguin/)
- [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 orca last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/orca/)
- [How long does a bottlenose dolphin last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/bottlenose-dolphin/)
- [How long does a ostrich last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/ostrich/)
- [How long does a humpback whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/humpback-whale/)
- [How long does a whale shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/whale-shark/)
- [How long does a bald eagle last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/bald-eagle/)
- [How long does a sperm whale last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/sperm-whale/)
- [How long does a peregrine falcon last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/peregrine-falcon/)
- [Emperor penguin vs Emu](https://atoneplace.net/vs/emperor-penguin-vs-emu/)

## Sources

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