Do turtles have genitals and do they mate?

Question

I have a pet turtle and they said it was male. how can i find out where his "genitals" are. and plus can you show me a picture.

Answer 1

Yes, they are mammals.

Turtles lay eggs, like other reptiles, which are slightly soft and leathery. The eggs of the largest species are spherical, while the eggs of the rest are elongated. Their albumen is white and contains a different protein than do bird eggs, such that it will not coagulate when cooked. Turtle eggs prepared to eat consist mainly of yolk. In some species, temperature determines whether an egg develops into a male or a female: a higher temperature causes a female, a lower temperature causes a male. Large numbers of eggs are deposited in holes dug into mud or sand. They are then covered and left to incubate, often by themselves. When the turtles hatch they squirm their way to the surface, where some species will find their mother who helps to raise the young.

Sea turtles lay their eggs on dry sandy beaches, and are highly endangered largely as a result of beach development and over hunting. Imature sea turtles are not raised by either parent.

Turtles can take many years to reach breeding age. Often turtles only breed every few years or more.

Researchers have recently discovered a turtle’s organs do not gradually break down or become less efficient over time, unlike most other mammals. It was found that the liver, lungs and kidneys of a centenarian turtle are virtually indistinguishable from those of its immature counterpart. This has inspired genetic researchers to begin examining the turtle genome for longevity genes.

Answer 2

Turtle Genitalia

Answer 3

Turtles and other reptiles keep their genitalia neatly tucked within the 'cloaca' or vent.

For a picture of the male turtle genitalia, check out the picture of penile prolapse here: http://ocw.tufts.edu/Content/5/lecturenotes/215709 (Scroll about 1/2 way down- it does not look like you might think.)

Turtle mating starts with a courtship/recognition ritual. If that goes well, the male will postion himself on the top rear of the shell and reach his tail under the lip of the females.

They will line up their cloacas and the male's genitals will make contact with the females through the cloacal openings.

Its really not as awkward as it sounds, especially compared to the weird ways many other animals do it- even the rather freaky way it works among certain primates with opposable thumbs.

Answer 4

Yes and yes. On MOST water turtles the males will have long nails on their front feet (when they get about 5" in the shell). Tail length is another way to tell on MOST water turtles (but if you don't know what to look for, it is of no help to you).

Answer 5

Yes their in the turtles shell and it comes out to mate.

Answer 6

A male turtle has it's penis hidden inside it's vent. Depending on the species there are better ways to sex your turtle than having a vet examine it internally.

Answer 7

Yes...how else do you think turtles continue to exist?

Answer 8

Yes. Yes.

Answer 9

Well I guess that they mate or they couldn't reproduce and they would become extinct.