---
title: "How long does a raccoon last?"
description: "A raccoon lasts 2–16 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/raccoon/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a raccoon last?

**Typical lifespan: 2–16 yr**

A dexterous nocturnal omnivore that has adapted to cities better than almost any other mammal.

> Wild raccoons rarely pass five; captives reach 16.

## How that compares

*Raccoon against things of a similar time.*

- Laptop: 3–8 yr
- Car battery: 3–7 yr
- Red fox: 2–15 yr
- Giant Pacific octopus: 3–5 yr
- Wild turkey: 3–13 yr
- Raccoon: 2–16 yr
- Smartphone: 2–6 yr
- Electric scooter: 2–6 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.333 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 3.3 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 10 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 raccoon

- [How much does a raccoon weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/raccoon/) — 3.5–14 kg
- [Raccoon vs Domestic cat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/domestic-cat-vs-raccoon/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a raccoon last?

A raccoon lasts 2–16 yr. Wild raccoons rarely pass five; captives reach 16.

## Related pages

- [How much does a raccoon weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/raccoon/)
- [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/)
- [Raccoon vs Domestic cat](https://atoneplace.net/vs/domestic-cat-vs-raccoon/)

## Sources

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