Scientists estimate that this species reaches sexual maturity between 20 and 50 years old. When mature, Green Sea Turtle gender can be determined by their tails: males’ tails are long and thick, whilst females have short, stubby ones. Females return to the beach where they were born every 2-4 years to lay eggs. Nesting season varies depending on the region. In the southeastern US, females generally nest between June and September and lay an average of five clutches (averaging 135 eggs per nest), which take 2 months to hatch. Only a few hatchlings from each nest survive into adulthood.