Turtles mate by the male mounting the female, usually on her back, to align their cloacas (a combined intestinal, urinary, and reproductive opening) for copulation. Because of their shells, mating requires the male and female to entwine their tails so the male can insert his penis into the female’s cloaca for fertilization

. Courtship and mating behaviors vary by species:

• Some male turtles, like tortoises (Geochelone species), use head bobs, ramming, and biting to force the female into submission

• Others, like red-eared sliders and cooters, engage in gentle courtship where the male strokes the female’s head and neck with his long claws to entice her cooperation

• In sea turtles, the male climbs onto the female’s back and holds on with his sharp claws, sometimes biting her neck or flippers to secure her cooperation. This can last several hours and may be risky for the female, who must surface for air while carrying the male’s weight

Mating specifics:

• The male’s penis is located inside his cloaca at the base of his tail and is extended only during mating

• Mating can occur underwater or on land, depending on the species. For example, aquatic turtles often mate underwater, while tortoises mate on land

• Males are typically polygamous, mating with multiple females, and females can store sperm from several males to fertilize multiple clutches of eggs

In summary, turtle mating involves the male mounting the female, tail entwining to align reproductive organs, and species-specific courtship behaviors ranging from gentle stroking to more aggressive actions, with copulation occurring either underwater or on land depending on the species