Essay About Sea Turtle Reproduction And Nesting Process

Sea Turtle Seminar Overview
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Sea Turtle Reproduction
In this seminar the reproduction of sea turtles was discussed. Many facets of the
sea turtles 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.