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How long does a giant anteater last?

Typical lifespan
14–26 yr

A toothless mammal with a 60 cm tongue that flicks 150 times a minute to collect 30,000 insects a day.

How that compares

Giant anteater against things of a similar time.

Domestic cat 12–20 yr
Oven 10–20 yr
Koala 10–20 yr
Elk 10–20 yr
Pig 10–20 yr
Ceiling fan 10–25 yr
Giant anteater 14–26 yr
Lion 10–20 yr

What that means over time

Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.
Period How many you would buy
Per year 0.0714 replacements
Over 10 years 1 of them
Over a 30-year mortgage 2.1 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 giant anteater

Common questions

How long does a giant anteater last?
A giant anteater lasts 14–26 yr.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution

How these figures are compiled and checked