The question of how turtles mate is of interest to many people. Indeed, even those who keep these animals as pets do not always know how to determine the sex of a reptile. What can I say about pairing!
Short description of the squad of turtles
These animals belong to the order of reptiles. They live in captivity for up to 50 years. But in the natural environment can exist about twice as much. Although there are legends that there are individuals who have reached 350 years or more. But only the fact of life span of the Madagascan radiant tortoise Tui Malila - 188 years is documented. She is today considered the long-lived winner.
A distinctive feature of all types of turtles is the presence of a shell. Perhaps thanks to him they managed to survive, despite the various disasters that occurred on our planet. After all, these creatures are very ancient.
Courtship games
Turtles are not strangers to demonstrative sympathies. Males in the mating season become very active. Many are mistaken in considering turtles to be silent creatures. After all, males, caring for their chosen ones, often make sounds similar to yapping. And the females have the right to express their opinion in a voice.
Usually males call rivals to fights. And during the period of “battles”, weak animals can be injured and die. So it will be a huge mistake to consider turtles calm and good-natured animals.
The male is not so loyal to his chosen one. Seeing a female, begins to shake his head up and down. But he does not intend to wait until she reciprocates with the boyfriend. Having performed a ritual dance of recognition, the male runs to the turtle and hits her head hard with his head. In addition, he bites the reptile by the paws, until in the end it will not be subordinated.
Mating process in nature
First of all, it should be clarified that the genitals of the turtles are in the tail. Therefore, the male comes to the chosen one from behind, crawls onto her back with the front of the body. He adapts his tail under her tail, directing the genitals to the right place.
At the end of the action, the male emits a "victorious cry." And let him be heard only by his chosen one, but this is the song of the victor who has reached his goal. The female also answers him with "yapping." This is how turtles mate in nature.
Mating of tortoises in captivity
This species of reptiles reproduces both in nature and in captivity. Since land turtles mate in natural conditions only when they have to fight for a female, there must be at least two male captives in order to determine the winner in a battle. Otherwise, interest in the female will simply be lost.
Sex reptiles is not easy to determine. But with a careful examination and comparison of heterosexual individuals, it is clear that there are still differences. For example, the claws on the limbs of a male are longer and harder than that of females. The ventral side of the shell of the “guy” is concave, the femoral spurs are massive. The tail is longer, rounded and wider at the base, because it contains the genitals. The carapace covers him.
When keeping these reptiles, it is very important to know if the land tortoise is already mature. How old is she mating? The answer will be: a female should reach a decade. The male, at this moment, must be at least five years old.
When a competitor is defeated, the time for the marriage ritual begins. The male tries to show himself to the female in all its glory. He catches up with the chosen one, extends the legs and tail, shakes his head. Then the male tries to bend the turtle under him. And sometimes a particularly zealous boyfriend does it with such force that it can damage the shell. That is why experts advise planting the "groom" to the "bride", and not keep them together: "visiting" the male is less decisive and the aggression is not as pronounced as on his territory.
