How long can lions live in captivity?

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A male lion — lion The distinguishing feature of a male lion (*Panthera leo*) is its mane, which makes the animal look larger and may serve to intimidate rivals or impress prospective mates.

In captivity, lions can live for 25 years or more. This is significantly longer than their lifespan in the wild, where they seldom live beyond 8 to 10 years due to factors such as human conflict, attacks from other lions, and injuries sustained while hunting prey.12

While captive environments can extend a lion's lifespan, it is important to note that some research suggests zoo enclosures may be detrimental to the physical health of certain carnivores, potentially leading to behavioral issues like pacing or increased infant mortality if the spaces are too small to support their natural routines.3