The lifespan of animals varies greatly depending on the species. While some live only a few days, others can exceed 100 years. Here we tell you how long some animals live, from common pets to amazing creatures of nature.
Dogs.
- Small breed: 12-16 years.
- Large breed: 8-12 years.
Cats.
- Average life: 12-18 years.
Rabbits.
- Average life: 8-12 years.
- If they are well cared for, they can reach 14 years of age.
Hamsters.
- Average life span: 2-3 years.
They are adorable, but their life is quite short.
Parrots (depending on species)
- 40-60 years. It depends on the species, some less like the arantigas (20 years), and some more like the macaws (80 years).
Canaries and parakeets.
- Canary: 10-15 years.
- Budgerigar: 5-10 years.
Terrestrial tortoises (Galapagos, Aldabra, etc.)
- 100-150 years.
Snakes (boas, pythons)
- 15-30 years on average.
Frogs and toads.
- Average life: 4-15 years (depending on species)
Goldfish
- 10-15 years.
Some have lived more than 30 years in well-kept tanks.
Whales.
- Bowhead whale: 100-200 years old
It is one of the longest-living mammals on the planet.
Common jellyfish: live from a few hours to a few months, depending on the species.
Turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish: known as “the immortal jellyfish”, it can reverse its aging and live indefinitely (in theory).
Elephants.
- 60-70 years.
- In captivity they can live a little longer with proper care.
Horses.
- 25-30 years.
Cows and sheep.
- Cows: 15-20 years.
- Sheep: 10-12 years.
Pigs: they usually live between 10 and 15 years.
Worker wasps: live from 12 to 22 days.
Queen wasps: can live up to 1 year.
Giraffes: Average lifespan: 25 years.
Sharks (depending on the species): Average lifespan: 20-30 years (although some, such as the Greenland shark, can live more than 200 years).
Mosquitoes: Average lifespan: 1-2 weeks (females live longer than males, which usually live only a few days).
Hens: Average life: 5-10 years.
Crocodiles: Average life span: 70-100 years (depending on the species).
Octopuses: Average lifespan: 1-2 years (some large species, such as the giant Pacific octopus, live up to 5 years).
Eagles: Average life span: 20-30 years (some species live longer).
Hedgehogs: Average lifespan: 4-6 years.
Penguins: Average life span: 15-20 years (depending on species).
Rhinoceroses: Average lifespan: 35-50 years.
Kangaroos: Average lifespan: 6-8 years in the wild, up to 20 years in captivity.
Very short lives:
- Ephemeral (insect): only 1 day.
- House flies: 15-30 days.
Very long lives:
- Giant tortoises: up to 190 years.
- Clams (such as Ming, the Icelandic clam): more than 500 years old.
🧠 Why do some animals live longer?
Longevity depends on many factors:
- Body size.
- Metabolism.
- Genetics.
- Habitat.
- Presence (or not) of predators.
- Lifestyle (in the wild or in captivity)
🐾 Conclusion.
Animal life is as diverse as it is fascinating. From pets that are only a few years old to creatures that have seen centuries go by, each species has its own rhythm. Knowing how long they live helps us take better care of them and appreciate the lives of our animal companions even more.
