How long does a lion last?
Typical lifespan
10–20 yr
The second-largest living cat and the only one that lives in permanent social groups.
Wild lions rarely pass 14; captives reach 20+.
How that compares
Lion 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
Lion 10–20 yr
Giant anteater 14–26 yr
What that means over time
| 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 lion
- How much does a lion weigh? 120–250 kg
- Lion vs Tiger Side by side
- Lion vs Gorilla Side by side
- Lion vs Grizzly bear Side by side
- Lion vs Polar bear Side by side
- Lion vs Plains zebra Side by side
- Lion vs Jaguar Side by side
Common questions
- How long does a lion last?
- A lion lasts 10–20 yr. Wild lions rarely pass 14; captives reach 20+.
Related pages
- How much does a lion weigh? 120–250 kg
- How long does a tiger last? 8–26 yr
- How long does a domestic cat last? 12–20 yr
- How long does a African elephant last? 50–70 yr
- How long does a blue whale last? 70–90 yr
- How long does a great white shark last? 50–73 yr
- How long does a cheetah last? 8–17 yr
- How long does a polar bear last? 20–32 yr
- How long does a giraffe last? 20–28 yr
- How long does a gorilla last? 35–55 yr
- How long does a grizzly bear last? 20–35 yr
- Lion vs Tiger Side by side
- Lion vs Gorilla Side by side
- Lion vs Grizzly bear Side by side
- Lion vs Polar bear Side by side
- Lion vs Plains zebra Side by side
- Lion vs Jaguar Side by side
Sources
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution