---
title: "How long does a narwhal last?"
description: "A narwhal lasts 30–90 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/narwhal/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a narwhal last?

**Typical lifespan: 30–90 yr**

An Arctic whale whose "horn" is a single spiral tooth, grown by nearly all males and a few females.

## How that compares

*Narwhal against things of a similar time.*

- Narwhal: 30–90 yr
- Orca: 30–90 yr
- American alligator: 35–70 yr
- Humpback whale: 45–100 yr
- Piano: 30–100 yr
- Nile crocodile: 45–80 yr
- Beluga whale: 35–70 yr
- American lobster: 30–100 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.02 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 narwhal

- [How much does a narwhal weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/narwhal/) — 800–1,600 kg
- [Narwhal vs Walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/narwhal-vs-walrus/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a narwhal last?

A narwhal lasts 30–90 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a narwhal weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/narwhal/)
- [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 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/)
- [Narwhal vs Walrus](https://atoneplace.net/vs/narwhal-vs-walrus/)

## Sources

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