---
title: "How long does a lion last?"
description: "A lion lasts 10–20 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/
site: "At One Place"
---

# 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

*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 lion

- [How much does a lion weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/lion/) — 120–250 kg
- [Lion vs Tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-tiger/) — Side by side
- [Lion vs Gorilla](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gorilla-vs-lion/) — Side by side
- [Lion vs Grizzly bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/grizzly-bear-vs-lion/) — Side by side
- [Lion vs Polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side
- [Lion vs Plains zebra](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-plains-zebra/) — Side by side
- [Lion vs Jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-lion/) — 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?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/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 great white shark last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/great-white-shark/)
- [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/)
- [Lion vs Tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-tiger/)
- [Lion vs Gorilla](https://atoneplace.net/vs/gorilla-vs-lion/)
- [Lion vs Grizzly bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/grizzly-bear-vs-lion/)
- [Lion vs Polar bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Lion vs Plains zebra](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-plains-zebra/)
- [Lion vs Jaguar](https://atoneplace.net/vs/jaguar-vs-lion/)

## Sources

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