Alligators typically live about 30 to 50 years in the wild. However, when kept in captivity, they often live longer, frequently reaching up to 70 years or more. Some individual alligators in captivity have been known to live over 80 years, with notable examples like Muja and Saturn living into their 80s at zoos
. The lifespan difference between wild and captive alligators is mainly due to the safer environment, steady food supply, and absence of predators in captivity. In the wild, juvenile alligators face many threats from predators and environmental factors until they grow large enough to be relatively safe
. In summary:
- Wild alligator lifespan: approximately 30–50 years
- Captive alligator lifespan: up to 70 years or more, with some living over 80 years
These figures apply mainly to American alligators, the most common species
