How Do Turtles Find Mates?

Turtles fall under a diverse order of reptiles known as testudines. They are found all over the world and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Despite the vast geographic, environmental and physiological diversity of turtles, there are common reproductive characteristics among these reptiles, especially when it comes to finding a mate.

  1. Male Competition

    • Often, males will act aggressive toward other males of the same species when encountered. Competing males will extend their head, bite and run at each other during physical altercations to claim territory and dominance both of which increase the chance of encountering and mating with a female.

    The Tactile and Taste Approaches

    • When a male turtle encounters a female turtle during the breeding season, he will pursue her with tenacity, sometimes putting on elaborate performances. Males and females can both release olfactory signals; males release smells to attract females, and females release smells to let males know they are ready to mate. Courtship behaviour by males can involve biting the female on her head, limbs and tail. Males will also stomp their feet in front of females, walk over and around them and, occasionally, prod them with their tail.

    Visual and Vocal Attraction

    • Males of some species rely on appearance and sound to attract females. Some have distinctive patterns on their head, limbs and shell that they use to entice females into mating. Certain species of aquatic turtles will swim backward while facing a female and vibrate their claws on the side of her head to display their qualities as a mate. In addition, grunts, hisses and moans are made by some tortoises and turtles when they are attracting a female, or even in the process of mating.

    Mechanics of Mating

    • Males have longer tails and a concave bottom shell (called a plastron), which allows males to fit on top of female turtles when mating. They then use their longer tails to reach under and penetrate the female during the mating process.

    Eggs, Nests and Hatching

    • All turtles lay their eggs on land. Females use their rear limbs to dig a nest in which they deposit eggs. The size, length of incubation and number of eggs varies with species. The size and sex of most newly hatched baby turtles is dependent on the environmental conditions of the nest during incubation. Warm temperatures produce females, while cooler temperatures produce males. The temperature difference that determines sex is only 3 to 4 degrees Centigrade during development. All turtles must survive on their own after hatching as turtles provide no parental care.