Quote:
Originally Posted by vole-woman  I was wondering whether there might be a biological reason for them maturing at different rates, to give them a better chance of survival because they're not all in competition with each other? All the spawn we had came within a week at the end of March, and the six baby tads I took in for my boys to watch matured into froglets within about 6 weeks.
But the ones that never left the pond are all different stages. Some have two legs and some four, and there are some very tiny brand new froglets which can't be the ones I released in May. It's as if their development's been staggered. |
The ones you brought in will have matured faster due to the warmer temperatures in your house. You always get groups that develop at different times, i personally think this is due to food availiability and certain individuals getting a better start and out competing the others resulting in them growing slower. In most wild situations they all emerge at the same time, i think this is due to the high numbers resulting in more getting away from predators. Although you do get genetically different sizes and growth speeds in all animals so it will play a part.