---
title: "How long does a hippopotamus last?"
description: "A hippopotamus lasts 40–55 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/hippopotamus/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a hippopotamus last?

**Typical lifespan: 40–55 yr**

A semi-aquatic grazer, the third-heaviest land mammal and among the most dangerous to people.

## How that compares

*Hippopotamus against things of a similar time.*

- Orca: 30–90 yr
- American alligator: 35–70 yr
- Humpback whale: 45–100 yr
- Piano: 30–100 yr
- Hippopotamus: 40–55 yr
- White rhinoceros: 35–50 yr
- Giant manta ray: 40–50 yr
- Leatherback sea turtle: 30–50 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0222 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 hippopotamus

- [How much does a hippopotamus weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/hippopotamus/) — 1,300–3,200 kg
- [Hippopotamus vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs White rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs American bison](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs Black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side
- [Hippopotamus vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a hippopotamus last?

A hippopotamus lasts 40–55 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a hippopotamus weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/hippopotamus/)
- [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 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/)
- [How long does a grizzly bear last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/grizzly-bear/)
- [Hippopotamus vs Giraffe](https://atoneplace.net/vs/giraffe-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs White rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/hippopotamus-vs-white-rhinoceros/)
- [Hippopotamus vs American bison](https://atoneplace.net/vs/american-bison-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs Black rhinoceros](https://atoneplace.net/vs/black-rhinoceros-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs Asian elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/asian-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)
- [Hippopotamus vs African elephant](https://atoneplace.net/vs/african-elephant-vs-hippopotamus/)

## Sources

- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution (https://naturalhistory.si.edu/)