---
title: "How long does a ostrich last?"
description: "An ostrich lasts 30–50 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/ostrich/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a ostrich last?

**Typical lifespan: 30–50 yr**

The largest and fastest bird, laying eggs that weigh about 1.4 kg each.

## How that compares

*Ostrich against things of a similar time.*

- Ostrich: 30–50 yr
- Gorilla: 35–55 yr
- Bottlenose dolphin: 30–60 yr
- Orangutan: 35–58 yr
- Black rhinoceros: 35–45 yr
- Dromedary camel: 25–50 yr
- Walrus: 30–40 yr
- Manatee: 30–60 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.025 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 an ostrich

- [How much does a ostrich weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/ostrich/) — 63–156 kg
- [Ostrich vs Lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-ostrich/) — Side by side
- [Ostrich vs Emu](https://atoneplace.net/vs/emu-vs-ostrich/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does an ostrich last?

An ostrich lasts 30–50 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a ostrich weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/ostrich/)
- [How long does a lion last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/lion/)
- [How long does a African elephant last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/african-elephant/)
- [How long does a cheetah last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/cheetah/)
- [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 hippopotamus last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/hippopotamus/)
- [How long does a chimpanzee last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/chimpanzee/)
- [How long does a bald eagle last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/bald-eagle/)
- [How long does a spotted hyena last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/spotted-hyena/)
- [How long does a white rhinoceros last?](https://atoneplace.net/how-long/white-rhinoceros/)
- [Ostrich vs Lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-ostrich/)
- [Ostrich vs Emu](https://atoneplace.net/vs/emu-vs-ostrich/)

## Sources

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