Sea Turtle Seminar Overview

Sea Turtle Reproduction

In this seminar the reproduction of sea turtles was discussed. Many facets of the

sea turtle's reproduction were discussed including: three general constraints for

reproduction, reproductive behavior, periodicity, and the nesting process.

There are three general constraints for reproduction with sea turtles. The first is

that nesting must occur during conditions which are conducive to adult activity. Second,

that nesting must occur during conditions which facilitate embryonic development and

survival (not too hot/cold, wet/dry etc.) Lastly, that the hatchlings must emerge into

conditions which are conducive to their survival (again, not too hot/cold etc.)

The next thing that was discussed was reproductive behavior. The major aspects

are similar among all species. The male turtle looks for a similar body shape to reproduce

with. They reproduce, and the female lays her eggs on land in a nest. She lays them in

deep, loose sand above high tide.

Periodicity was discussed next. The females do not reproduce every year, but the

males may. It usually takes the sea turtles a number of months to travel the distances to

the mating sights. The times in between remigration may vary within a species.

The last thing that was discussed was the nesting process. First the female

emerges from the surf. They find a spot above high tide and begin to dig the body pit.

Then they use their back legs to make an egg chamber. The last things they do are fill the

egg chamber, fill the holes, and go back to the sea.