They also live longer - up to three years of age - and are reproductively active for almost three years.

"The monkeys seem fine, they're reproductively active and they don't get sick," she said.

They give the organism an orange/pink colour when reproductively active.

Females become reproductively active at six months of age and can breed all year round if conditions are favourable.

They are reproductively active but less fecund than large queens.

They reach sexual maturity after 1 to 2 years and remain reproductively active for two to three years.

The average age of reproductively active individuals is 21 years.

The young become reproductively active when seven weeks old and the life cycle is short.

Courtship routines The turtles become reproductively active at age 2 or 3.

After several days, the adults become reproductively active and are able to reproduce again, though not late in the season.