---
title: "How long does a sperm whale last?"
description: "A sperm whale lasts 60–70 yr. How that compares to other things, and where the number comes from."
url: https://atoneplace.net/how-long/sperm-whale/
site: "At One Place"
---

# How long does a sperm whale last?

**Typical lifespan: 60–70 yr**

The largest toothed predator, diving to 2,000 m for squid and producing the loudest sound of any animal.

## How that compares

*Sperm whale against things of a similar time.*

- Great white shark: 50–73 yr
- Saltwater crocodile: 65–100 yr
- Whale shark: 60–130 yr
- Sperm whale: 60–70 yr
- African elephant: 50–70 yr
- Asian elephant: 48–70 yr
- Japanese spider crab: 50–100 yr
- Orca: 30–90 yr

## What that means over time

*Assuming the typical lifespan above and immediate replacement.*

| Period | How many you would buy |
| --- | --- |
| Per year | 0.0167 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 a sperm whale

- [How much does a sperm whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/sperm-whale/) — 15–57 t
- [Sperm whale vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-sperm-whale/) — Side by side
- [Sperm whale vs Blue whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/) — Side by side
- [Sperm whale vs Fin whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/fin-whale-vs-sperm-whale/) — Side by side
- [Sperm whale vs Whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/) — Side by side

## Common questions

### How long does a sperm whale last?

A sperm whale lasts 60–70 yr.

## Related pages

- [How much does a sperm whale weigh?](https://atoneplace.net/weight/sperm-whale/)
- [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/)
- [Sperm whale vs Humpback whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/humpback-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Sperm whale vs Blue whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/blue-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Sperm whale vs Fin whale](https://atoneplace.net/vs/fin-whale-vs-sperm-whale/)
- [Sperm whale vs Whale shark](https://atoneplace.net/vs/sperm-whale-vs-whale-shark/)

## Sources

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