Turtles reproduce through egg laying.
Turtles are Interesting
Turtles are water dwelling creatures that captivate people. These reptiles glide peacefully through the water, as if their shells were light as a feather. Yet their huge shells are actually quite heavy when carried around on land, which is why turtles move so slowly. The water helps them glide and move with ease. Turtles may seem like gentle giants who keep to themselves, but most species are actually very social creatures when they get together with other turtles. Some male turtles will only come on land to mate.
The Mating Ritual
Turtles can be very affectionate, loving creatures, and this nature comes out when they begin to mate. The actual mating ritual will vary depending on the species of turtle. In some species, the male turtles are much larger than the females, while in other species the females are larger. Turtles first like to get acquainted with each other by spending time with their possible mate. Turtles like to rub up against each other and show other signs of affection, like making clicking sounds. They may even flirt and swim around each other in the water before coming onto land to mate. They also move about in a dance-like motion to try and attract their partner. When turtles are comfortable with each other, the male turtle will mount the female from behind. The male turtle will then wrap his tail around the female's tail until they are closely linked together. This process will then cause the female to become fertilized by the male. Some females can hold on to sperm for quite some time before they use it to fertilize their eggs.
Nesting and Laying Eggs
When the time is right, the female turtle will lay her eggs on land and place them in a nest. Turtles like the sand, but they also lay their eggs in other places depending on their geographic location and species. The eggs come out of her through a small opening that all reptiles have, known as the cloaca. After the female turtle lays her many eggs, she will then return to the ocean. Some female turtles will lay eggs several times in one year and then take a break for a year or two before mating again. The babies will hatch and they will all crawl back into the ocean ready to start their own lives.
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