| Slow frogs!
Most of the tadpoles in my pond metamorphose and leave really fast, but there are always a few left. There are still some now and there are usually some into the autumn. Anyone any idea why? I have some guesses. You would expect most to mature fast, to get the chance to feed up in the summmer and be strong enough to survive the winter, so:
1- Dimorphism. Some frogs in transitory ponds have fast and slow larvae. The fast ones eat the slow ones!
2 - Spread. If some disaster takes all the early ones, there are still some left.
3 - Parasitism. I'm sure ancient beasts like frogs must have parasites. In some creatures, parasites delay or prevent maturation.
4 - Chemical? I gather some types of axlotle require iodine to become mature adults. Could the trace elements in the pond be to blame?
5 - Food. Lack of food might delay maturation, but the pond is full of all kinds of invertebrates.
6 - ?
Thanks - Jonathan
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A humble moth |