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The Chinese softshell turtle, Pelodiscus sinensis, goes through a series of intricate rituals and behaviours during mating season. They have adapted to their aquatic environments and developed reproductive techniques, both of which may be better understood by observing their behaviours.
Pelodiscus sinensis mating starts with wooing behaviours, when males aggressively seek out females. Males may swim close to females, touch or nuzzle their shells, and make little biting or nibbling movements when courting. The male performs these actions in an attempt to win the approval of the female and establish his authority in the mating process.
While courting, male Chinese softshell turtles may use low-frequency vocalisations to signal their intentions to the females. During courting, these noises—which may be characterised as grunting or purring sounds—are made, and they may serve as a signal that the animal is ready to mate.
The mating process takes place in the water after the female has accepted the male's approaches. As he climbs up the female, the male uses his tail and forelimbs to firmly grip her shell or body. In this amplexus posture, the sperm may be more easily transferred from the male to the female since their cloacal apertures are aligned and they are physically touching.
Pelodiscus sinensis, like other turtles, fertilises its eggs within. It is in the cloaca, an aperture shared by both sexes used for reproduction and waste removal, that the male deposits his sperm during mating. After that, the sperm make their way to the eggs within the mother by way of her reproductive system.
The mating season for female Chinese softshell turtles might see as many as ten males. Polyandry is a reproductive strategy that boosts reproductive success and genetic diversity in a population. Displays of dominance and wooing behaviours help males compete for mating chances, increasing the likelihood that their genes will be handed down future generations.
Following mating, the females will go to an ideal nesting place, which is usually a sandy or soft ground close to water. Here they will lay their eggs. The quantity of the clutch of eggs laid by a female bird varies with her age and health, and the birds use their rear limbs to build tiny nests. When an egg is placed, it is covered with sand or dirt to keep it safe from predators and the elements.