Do sea turtles court before mating?
Most sea turtle studies have focused on land when the females nest, for ease of observation. Little research has been conducted in the sea, so there is limited knowledge on their behaviour in the water. It is known that sea turtle courtship usually occurs offshore the nesting beach. Males approach any female turtle, and occasionally logs, and scuba divers who resemble the females! Several males compete for the same female. She mates with them during the breeding season, and has the ability to retain their sperm from one season to the next. She uses the sperm of several males to fertilise her clutches, increasing the gene pool. Further studies are needed on courtship behaviour.
