Tadpoles To Frogs

April 24, 2007

Tadpoles to frogs - it happens in a matter of weeks and is quite amazing. The process begins as frogs lay their eggs in fresh water ponds, steams or swaps. The adult frogs locate a place where the current is not too strong.

In an interesting twist, the eggs actually float - you would think that they would get eaten because of this. However due to their larger size they are safe from predators. However most of the eggs are eaten by ducks, small fish and large insects. Often times a female frog will release thousands of eggs into the pond in hopes that several will survive.

The tadpole egg is first a single cell, however over time it begins to split to create two cells, which then splits once again to form four cells and so on. Over time these cells form the tadpole embryo which then transforms into living organs. The embryo lives off it’s yolk which sustains it with nutrients for 21 days at which point it matures into a tadpole.

The Tadpole

The tadpole lives through several stages of life prior to turning into a frog, it’s first mission in life is to break free from it’s embryo “case” which can take several days. Once the tadpole is free it lives off algae that is present in the water.

At this stage the tadpole is bound to live in water and has not yet developed lungs, if the pond or steam dries up the tadpole will die. Many other dangers are also present for the tadpole, including fish, ducks and other small animals.

About one month into the tadpole’s life it begins to develop into a frog as it begins to grow it’s legs. Next the lungs will start to develop and the tadpole is much larger and able to swim much faster.

The tadpoles diet now includes tinny insects, tadpole eggs and even smaller tadpoles. However the tadpoles life cycle in approaching frog state now. As it’s mouth widens and the legs continue to grow, the lungs are almost developed at this point and the tadpole may even stay near the surface of the water and “breathe”.

It takes an 11 week period for the embryo to fully develop into a frog, from a tadpole that is stuck in the water to an animal that lives primarily on land and eats small insects, worms and other tinny creates.

Posted in Environmental Science Articles