Eggs are laid in April-May in Florida, Mexico, Venezuela, and Honduras; December-February in Ecuador and Panama (Kushlan and Mazzotti 1989); mid-February to early April in Dominican Republic (Fitch 1985); late March-early May in Belize (Platt and Thorbjarnarson 2000). Clutch size is 20-80 (average 38 in Florida, 24 in Hispaniola, 22 in Belize). Incubation averages about 85 days in Florida; female guards nest; eggs hatch in July and August. Hatching occurs April-June in West Indies (Schwartz and Henderson 1991), late June to mid-July in Belize (Platt and Thorbjarnarson 2000). Adult opens nest and may carry hatchlings to water. Parent apparently protects young for unknown duration. Females become sexually mature at an age of around 10-13 years. Clutches are laid singly or communally in southern Florida (Kushlan and Mazzotti 1989).