Animal lifespans and gestation periods

Animal Lifespans

and

Gestation Periods

Animal (General) Maximum Lifespan*
(in years)

Mammals
Bat 2
Bear 31
Cat 21
Chimpanzee 37
Dog 34
Elephant 57
Horse 62
Human, Neanderthal 20
Human, Neolithic 20
Human, Classical Greece 28
Human, Classical Rome 28
Human, Medieval England 33**
Human, end of 18th Century 37
Human, early 20th Century 50
Human, circa 1940 65
Human, current 77-79 (varies by region)
Lion 29
Mouse 3
Ox 30

Birds
Bluejay 4
Canary 24
Macaw 64
Nightingale 3.8
Pigeon 69

Reptiles
Alligator 56
Box turtle 123
Giant tortoise 177
Amphibians
Salamanders 3-25

Fish
Eel 6
Goldfish 25
Sturgeon 50

Insects
Ant 15
Fruit fly 0.1 (30-40 days)

Spiders
Bird spider 15
House spider 0.01 (3-4 days)

* Yes, we know that there are cats out there living to 100 years. However, it would be silly to say "average maximum lifespan," since that sounds contradictory. However, there is an upper age limit at which the vast majority of animals will die. Animals living past that age are exceptions, and aside from being old and wise are also incredibly snappy dressers.
** Take a good look at all these human lifespans. For fantasy roleplayers, specifically look at the medieval lifespan: an astounding, whopping 33 years. What does this mean? Well, for one thing, the likelihood of anyone living long enough to get gray hair was very rare (see above bullet). People living to the point where they begin to get wrinkles and gray hair were almost invariably considered in some way either blessed or cursed. They were given status (ranging from simple respect to full-blown mysticism) that we in the 1990s wouldn't give even our own elderly parents.
Secondly, unless there is some reason to expect advanced medical procedures in a fantasy campaign, players will seldom become and seldom encounter old men and women - the concept of what "old age" means is very different. Disease, famine, war and other factors all contributed to thirtysomethings dying off at an alarming rate. That age was almost always 100% fatal. Individuals with a higher standard of living lived longer, but usually not by much.
Think about it. Pigeons lived longer than we did back then.

Animal	Gestation Period (days)	Animal	Gestation Period (days)
Camel	406	Hyena	110
Cat	62	Kangaroo	40
Cow	280	Lion	108
Chimpanzee	237	Mink	50
Dog	62	Monkey, rhesus	164
Dolphin	276	Mouse	21
Elephant, African	640	Opposum	13
Ferret	42	Orangutan	245-275
Fox	52	Pig	113
Giraffe	395-425	Rabbit	32
Goat	151	Rat	21
Guinea pig	68	Reindeer	215-245
Hamster	16	Seal, northern fur	350
Hedgehog	35-40	Sheep	148
Horse	337	Skunk	62
Human	266	Squirrel, grey	44

Goldfish

In season (when female is fertile with eggs): April-September monthly spawning.
Eggs hatch four-14 days according to temperature

---------------===============*===============---------------

Bonnies Gadgets & Cookware
Things You Never Knew Existed
---==== Click Here ====---

Bonnies Natural Pet Care Store
Human Grade Pet Foods, Vitamins & Supplements for Dogs & Cats

Stuff in a Nutshell Navigator
Where do you want to go next
Something for Everyone

You are Visitor:

Free Search Engine Submission
Submit your page to popular sites for free, using one form!

Webmaster

Animal (General)	Maximum Lifespan* (in years)
Mammals
Bat	2
Bear	31
Cat	21
Chimpanzee	37
Dog	34
Elephant	57
Horse	62
Human, Neanderthal	20
Human, Neolithic	20
Human, Classical Greece	28
Human, Classical Rome	28
Human, Medieval England	33**
Human, end of 18th Century	37
Human, early 20th Century	50
Human, circa 1940	65
Human, current	77-79 (varies by region)
Lion	29
Mouse	3
Ox	30
Birds
Bluejay	4
Canary	24
Macaw	64
Nightingale	3.8
Pigeon	69
Reptiles
Alligator	56
Box turtle	123
Giant tortoise	177
Amphibians
Salamanders	3-25
Fish
Eel	6
Goldfish	25
Sturgeon	50
Insects
Ant	15
Fruit fly	0.1 (30-40 days)
Spiders
Bird spider	15
House spider	0.01 (3-4 days)