Sexual maturity refers to the stage in an organism's life when it becomes capable of reproduction. In humans, this typically occurs during puberty, which involves physical and hormonal changes that enable the development of secondary sexual characteristics, such as breast development in females and increased muscle mass in males. In many species, sexual maturity is marked by specific age milestones or physical traits. For example, in dogs, sexual maturity can occur as early as six months, while in elephants, it may not happen until they are around ten years old. Understanding sexual maturity is essential for breeding and conservation efforts.