Reproduction
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Most of the sea turtle species mate several weeks prior to the nesting period. Two or more male sea turtles can mate with a single female. The mating between sea turtles takes place in the water. Two males may compete for a female by raising there neck higher. Since the mating takes place in the water it is not 100% certain what happens. However, sea turtles have claws on their front flippers which helps them grab on to the shell of the female. It is assumed that the male mounts the female and fertilization is internal. After the mating is completed the female will come to shore and lay her eggs usually at night time. The nesting time usually occurs in spring and summer for the species. However, the leatherback turtle nests in the fall and the winter. The sea turtles like to lay their eggs on sandy beaches. The females dig an egg cavity. The mothers can lay between 50-200 eggs depending on the species of turtle. The female then covers the nest with sand and returns to the ocean water. The females do not see their hatchlings. The gestation period then lasts 48-62 days. Once the gestation period is over the eggs begin to hatch and the baby sea turtles come out. The baby sea turtles immediately head for the ocean water. Most of the female turtles return to the beach they hatched at to nest. Many times the eggs can be endangered now so people have started to rope areas off on the beach where sea turtle nests are located.
Here is a video of a leather back turtle during the nesting period.
Nesting Video
Here is a video of sea turtles hatching in Cozumel and making their way back to the water.
Hatching Sea Turtles
Here is a video of a leather back turtle during the nesting period.
Nesting Video
Here is a video of sea turtles hatching in Cozumel and making their way back to the water.
Hatching Sea Turtles