Green turtle copulation can last several hours, with the longest recorded mounting episode lasting 119 hours.
The green sea turtle reproduction process begins with the male searching for a female mate. Once a female has been found, the male will visually examine and approach the female, and the female will either submit or reject the male. If the female accepts, copulation will follow. The male will mount his mate and grab onto her “mating notches” around her shoulders to assist in copulation. Copulation occurs in the shallow waters off the shore of nesting beaches.
Green sea turtle copulation can last several hours, with the longest recorded mounting episode lasting 119 hours.
Sources: (Ernst & Barbour, 1989; Hersh, 2016; Hirth, 1971, 1997; Laguex, 1999; North Florida Ecological Services Office, 2017)
Image: sheraca
