Geographical location plays a large role in the age of sexual maturity. Observations from studies of breeding behavior (of "Hypanus americanus" during August at Bimini, Bahamas, and early September in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands). One study shows that when females were placed in captivity, they were considered mature when they were impregnated (around 5 or 6 years old). In this case, males who were 3 or 4 years old were considered to be mature. There is also a difference in the rate at which the females bear young, depending on whether they are raised in captive natural environments or in natural environments. Females raised in captivity bear offspring twice a year, and females that are raised in the wild bear offspring once a year. In addition, there is a positive correlation between the size of the mother and the number of offspring. There is a difference in nurseries for where the "Hypanus americanus" offspring are raised: there are primary and secondary nurseries which have a clear distinction. The primary nursery is defined as a habitat where a female" Hypanus americanus" gives birth to her young. On the other hand, the secondary nursery is a habitat where the juvenile "Hypanus americanus "are raised to mature adults. Little evidence about locations of and migrations between the primary and secondary nurseries is known. An example of a primary nursery is in Belize, where "Hypanus americanus" females pay seasonal visits for the purposes of mating and giving birth to offspring. During one study, juvenile" Hypanus americanus "were caught by scientists at 10 to 20 m depths on rock reef surfaces nearby during the months of May, November and December. This specific location of where these juvenile "Hypanus americanus" were collected was believed to be a secondary nursery.