Turtle Life Cycle — Passage

The life cycle of a turtle is a remarkable journey that begins in a carefully prepared nest. Female turtles, driven by ancient instincts, return to land to lay their eggs in sandy or soil nests. These nests, often located in the same areas where the mothers themselves hatched, protect the developing embryos. After an incubation period that can last from 45 to 90 days, depending on the species and environmental conditions, tiny hatchlings emerge. These newborns face immediate challenges as they make their way to water or suitable land habitats, avoiding numerous predators. As young turtles grow, they undergo significant changes in size and sometimes in diet and habitat preferences. Their shells harden and grow along with their bodies, providing increasing protection. Turtles typically reach sexual maturity between 5 to 35 years, depending on the species. Adults may live for several decades, with some species known to surpass 100 years. The cycle continues as mature females return to nesting sites, guided by an innate sense of geography and magnetoreception, to lay their own eggs and ensure the continuation of their species.