Rating Newest Oldest. Best Answer: http://www.cheetah.co.za/facts.htm Life Expectancy The average life span in captivity is 10-12 years though cheetahs can live as long as 20 years.In the wild, few survive more than 8 years though they can live up to 10 or 12 years.Cub mortality is extremely high for the species in both the wild and captivity. They are most vulnerable from 6 weeks to 4 months and in open habitat like the Serengeti plains, less than 5% reach adulthood.n the wild, few survive more than 8 years though they can live up to 10 or 12 years. Cub mortality is extremely high for the species in both the wild and captivity. They are most vulnerable from 6 weeks to 4 months and in open habitat like the Serengeti plains, less than 5% reach adulthood.