In this post, we’ll consider the lifespan of both Asian and African elephants in the wild and in captivity. African elephants live for 56-70 years in the wild but only live for an average of 17 years while in captivity. Asian elephants live for 40-70 years in the wild but only live for an average of 19 years while in captivity., Wild African elephants live 60–70 years, and Asian elephants live 48–60 years; captive lifespans are shorter, averaging 17–19 years. Lifespan depends on species, habitat, and threats like poaching, habitat loss, and disease., So, how long do elephants live? When it comes to longevity in the wild, the African species have a longer estimated lifespan than the Asian species. Both the African bush elephant and the African forest elephant are estimated to live between 60 and 70-years in the wild., Science reports that despite the ages we know elephants are able to live to in the wild, African elephants now actually have an expected lifespan of around 56 years while Asian elephants live around 41. 7 years. Let’s explore why the age elephants live to is reducing:, If you’re looking for the simple answer, here it is: African elephants live for around 56 years in the wild. And aside from humans, they are the longest-living land mammals on the planet. But in many ways, asking about the lifespan of elephants is like asking; ‘how long is a piece of string?’., Enough about elephants - which animal lives the longest? Currently the longest living animal in recorded history is an Ocean Quahog Clam from Iceland, with a recorded age of 507 years old..