How Long Can Alligators Live?

Alligators can live for about 50 years in the wild and even longer in captivity, often surpassing the 70-year mark. Their extended life span in captivity is supported by regular feeding and controlled environments such as zoos, where there are no predators. For instance, Muja, an American alligator at the Belgrade zoo, has been alive since the 1930s, making it about 90 years old. Saturn, an alligator that survived the World War II bombings in Berlin and was later transferred to the Soviet Union, lived to about 84 years. Both American and Chinese alligators share this longevity, although the Chinese species is critically endangered. Their life span is also comparable to other crocodilians. Crocodiles, which are closely related to alligators, can live for more than 70 years in captivity, and the life span of caimans is generally between 30 and 60 years.