The reproduction of turtles is a very extensive topic since there are many different species that use different methods and procedures. There are terrestrial, freshwater and marine turtles. And of each modality there are various species and subspecies.
For this reason in this article on our site we will generically address the reproduction of turtles and we will put some general examples that you should know.
We will also talk about the turtles in captivity that fight to maintain the survival of the species. Next:
The turtles or turtles
The chelonians or turtles are reptiles that are characterized by having a shellthat surrounds and protects the body. Obviously the first step in turtle reproduction begins with a classic formula among vertebrates: copulation.
The male tortoises are very rough and the nuptial courtship consists of biting the female's legs and insistently hitting her shell against the poor female's.
Fortunately, Nature is very wise and has devised a system to avoid torture for the poor females and minimize the brutality of the act. Female tortoises can keep semen active for 3 years, which means they can avoid mating during that time.
Domestic tortoise reproduction
Normally among domestic tortoises is that they are fertile from the ninth year of life in the case of females, and at From the age of 7 the males. Therefore, pairing specimens that one of them is immature is an error.
If both are sexually mature and after copulation, the female will lay the fertilized eggs in holes 10-12 cm deep that she will have previously dug. There is no fixed period for the eggs to hatch (usually from 5 to 7), since it will depend on the temperature generated by the insolation on the spawning ground.
When the moment of hatching arrives, the small turtles will be born, emerging to the surface. These little turtles will measure barely 4 cm or less.
Reproduction of amphibian turtles
The mating ritual of freshwater turtles is different from that of land turtles, but one thing in common is that males are sometimes violentNormally amphibian turtles are sexually mature at 5 years of age. The ritual dance takes place with the male in front of the female as he attempts to caress her face with her front paws. He will then swim in circles skimming past the shells. If the female does not cooperate, the male may attempt to submerge her and prevent her from breathing.
Once mating is complete and the female is still alive, the gestation of the eggs inside the turtle usually lasts about 2 months. Egg laying takes place on land, preferably in sandy areas. There are species that lay up to 20 eggs at a time. Once the female covers with sand, or earth, the eggs in a sunny area. These take between 80 and 90 days to hatch. After this period the little turtles are born.
Reproduction of sea turtles
Sea turtles are very long-lived, far exceeding 100 years of age. They are fertile from 6-8 years. Sea turtles mate in deep water, after which the females form eggs inside them for a period of 2 to 3 weeks.
Egg laying takes place in most species at night The females travel considerable distances along the beach so that the eggs of the imminent laying are not exposed to the big waves and the high tide. Once the site is chosen, they dig a hole about 50 cm deep, depositing between 50 and 100 eggs in the hole. After laying, the female covers the eggs with sand.
After a period between 40 and 70 days, the little turtles begin to hatch, waiting for most of their sisters to hatch so they can all go to the sea together; thing that happens at night. In this way they minimize their exposure to predators. The temperature of the sand is what determines the sex of the turtles. At high temperatures all females are born.
Usually females spawn on the same beaches where they were born, but this is not always the case. It is the males who feel more affection for the coastlines known in their childhood.
Artificial incubation
Given that all species of sea turtles are highly threatened, there are several international programs to reintroduce turtles on beaches where turtles existed ancestrally, but they have currently stopped spawning.
Protected spawning grounds have been created for this reason and artificial incubation is also being used to maximize the number of live hatchlings.
