How Long Do Turtles Mate. A male may mate with the same female several years in a row, or with several females, depending on availability. Females must lay their eggs while the temperature is just right in order to produce both male and female hatchlings.

While females only return every two or three years to mate, males return to the mating site annually. The mating position in marine turtles can last up to 8 hours!! Warmer temperatures speed up development, while cooler temperatures slow it down.