---
title: "How long does a southern elephant seal last?"
description: "A southern elephant seal lasts 14–23 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/southern-elephant-seal/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a southern elephant seal last?

**Typical lifespan: 14–23 yr**

The largest carnivoran alive; bulls outweigh cows by a factor of five, the most extreme dimorphism of any mammal.

## How that compares

*Southern elephant seal against things of a similar time.*

- Southern elephant seal: 14–23 yr
- Giant panda: 15–30 yr
- American bison: 15–25 yr
- Bald eagle: 15–38 yr
- Spotted hyena: 12–25 yr
- Cow: 15–25 yr
- Red kangaroo: 12–25 yr
- American black bear: 18–30 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.05 replacements |
| Over 10 years | 1 of them |
| Over a 30-year mortgage | 1.5 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 southern elephant seal

- [How much does a southern elephant seal weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/southern-elephant-seal/) — 350–4,000 kg
- [Southern elephant seal vs Orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/orca-vs-southern-elephant-seal/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a southern elephant seal last?

A southern elephant seal lasts 14–23 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a southern elephant seal weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/southern-elephant-seal/)
- [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/)
- [Southern elephant seal vs Orca](https://atoneplace.net/vs/orca-vs-southern-elephant-seal/)

## Sources

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