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Courtship
For most species, courtship activity usually occurs several weeks before the nesting season. Two or more males may court a single female. -
Fertilization
Fertilzation is internal in turtles. Copulation occurs in the water, just offshore. -
Nesting Time
After mating, sea turtles come ashore on a sandy beach to find a spot to lay their eggs. -
Laying of the Eggs
After a female finds the right spot, she will lay 50-200 eggs in a hole that she dug. Not all will survive. -
Hatching of the Eggs
After 45-55 days, the eggs hatch, and the baby turtles begin to crawl out. -
The Turtles Head to Sea
The baby turtles crawl out of the hole and head to the ocean. -
Swimming Frenzy
Once the turtles reach the ocean, they must get farther into the ocean away from dangerous coastal areas with lots of predators. Eventually they'll fall into a currents, and start the next chapter in their life. (They will be on their way to adulthood) -
Reach Sexual Maturity
After 7-50 years, the turtles will reach sexual maturity. Evidence suggests that some turtles continue to grow after reaching sexual maturity, while some stop growing after reaching maturity.
