How Do Turtles Reproduce. Alligator snapping turtles are able to mate and lay eggs when they are 11 to 13 years old. Every year, from about may to september, nesting female sea turtles emerge from the gulf of mexico to use the beaches of the gulf islands to lay their eggs.

A few weeks after mating, a female green sea turtle arrives on the beach and digs a hole in the ground for her eggs. Their mating ritual consists of biting the female's legs and repeatedly hitting their shell against hers. Turtles reproduce differently depending on the species as the sexual maturity age varies;

Can Turtles Stay Underwater. Both snapping turtles and painted turtles can survive forced submergence at cold water temperatures in the lab for well over 100 days. (the familiar box turtle also hibernates, but on land.)

Most sea turtles can sleep underwater for about four to seven hours without needing to come up for air. Most turtles can dive to depths of up to 290 m (960 ft). Aquatic turtles especially can stay underwater for several hours without coming back up for air.