---
title: "How long does a North American beaver last?"
description: "A North American beaver lasts 10–24 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/north-american-beaver/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a North American beaver last?

**Typical lifespan: 10–24 yr**

The second-largest rodent, and the only animal besides humans that reshapes whole landscapes to suit itself.

## How that compares

*North American beaver against things of a similar time.*

- North American beaver: 10–24 yr
- Cheetah: 8–17 yr
- Dishwasher: 7–13 yr
- Sofa: 7–20 yr
- Green anaconda: 10–30 yr
- Cougar: 8–20 yr
- Treadmill: 7–15 yr
- Rottweiler: 8–12 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.1 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 3 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 North American beaver

- [How much does a North American beaver weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/north-american-beaver/) — 11–32 kg
- [North American beaver vs Common wombat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/common-wombat-vs-north-american-beaver/) — Side by side
- [North American beaver vs Koala](https://atoneplace.net/vs/koala-vs-north-american-beaver/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a North American beaver last?

A North American beaver lasts 10–24 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a North American beaver weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/north-american-beaver/)
- [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/)
- [North American beaver vs Common wombat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/common-wombat-vs-north-american-beaver/)
- [North American beaver vs Koala](https://atoneplace.net/vs/koala-vs-north-american-beaver/)

## Sources

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