How long do lizards live?

The average lifespan of a lizard usually runs between one and 30 years, with a median of 10 years. Because there are over 5,000 different species of lizards, the lifespan varies from species to species.

The lizard with the shortest lifespan is the chameleon, which typically lives just one to three years in captivity. Most lizards live an average of 10 to 20 years. Geckos and iguanas both live into their teens or early 20s. Other lizards, such as the Mexican Beaded Lizard, sometimes live into their 30s. The best way to get an accurate life expectancy for a specific lizard is to check the life expectancy for that species of lizard.