An African pancake tortoise lays only one egg per clutch, but a sea turtle may lay 200 eggs at a time. The female turtle walks away after covering her eggs and does not return. The warmth of the sun hatches the eggs. The temperature at which the eggs are incubated also determines the sex of the hatchlings. Newly hatched turtles must dig their way to the surface of the ground, obtain food, and protect themselves all on their own.
Many animals prey on turtle eggs and newborn turtles.
Various birds and mammals flock to beaches and eat baby sea turtles as they crawl toward the water. Fish attack many others as they enter the sea. Skunks, raccoons, and snakes dig up the nests of freshwater turtles and devour the eggs. Scientists believe turtles live longer than any other backboned animal. Some box turtles and tortoises have lived more than 100 years.