---
title: "How long does a polar bear last?"
description: "A polar bear lasts 20–32 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/polar-bear/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a polar bear last?

**Typical lifespan: 20–32 yr**

The largest living land carnivore, classified as a marine mammal because it hunts from sea ice.

## How that compares

*Polar bear against things of a similar time.*

- Polar bear: 20–32 yr
- Giraffe: 20–28 yr
- Grizzly bear: 20–35 yr
- Bathtub: 15–50 yr
- Elevator: 20–40 yr
- Tractor: 15–50 yr
- Window: 15–40 yr
- Sewing machine: 10–50 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.04 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1.2 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 polar bear

- [How much does a polar bear weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/polar-bear/) — 150–700 kg
- [Polar bear vs Grizzly bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/grizzly-bear-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side
- [Polar bear vs Tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-tiger/) — Side by side
- [Polar bear vs Lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side
- [Polar bear vs Horse](https://atoneplace.net/vs/horse-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side
- [Polar bear vs Saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-saltwater-crocodile/) — Side by side
- [Polar bear vs Kodiak bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/kodiak-bear-vs-polar-bear/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a polar bear last?

A polar bear lasts 20–32 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a polar bear weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/polar-bear/)
- [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 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/)
- [Polar bear vs Grizzly bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/grizzly-bear-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Polar bear vs Tiger](https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-tiger/)
- [Polar bear vs Lion](https://atoneplace.net/vs/lion-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Polar bear vs Horse](https://atoneplace.net/vs/horse-vs-polar-bear/)
- [Polar bear vs Saltwater crocodile](https://atoneplace.net/vs/polar-bear-vs-saltwater-crocodile/)
- [Polar bear vs Kodiak bear](https://atoneplace.net/vs/kodiak-bear-vs-polar-bear/)

## Sources

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