Tadpoles not maturing

[Ellkebe]

I've just been reading through this thread as I'm monitoring my toadpoles' development at the moment. Only one looks like it's ready to leave the pond soon - proper little back and front legs and tail less than half its original length.
I've a couple of questions I'd love some help with. Do toadpoles have to have meat as they get their back legs? I've put some dried blood worm in as suggested in another thread but they seem to ignore that! Most of them, including ones with back legs, just seem to want to gorge themselves on watercress! Will they mature and leave each other alone if there is plenty of plant life for them, but no meat? And can they eat the various little dead insects that end up on the surface of the water?
Sorry - I know that's a lot of questions - more than a couple! Oh - one more though! - is the frog that's taken up residence likely to eat the toadpoles or even the little toadlets if they emerge this summer?
Many thanks for any advice.
Ellkebe

[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.

[Dogghound]

Originally Posted by Ellkebe

Do toadpoles have to have meat as they get their back legs? I've put some dried blood worm in as suggested in another thread but they seem to ignore that! Most of them, including ones with back legs, just seem to want to gorge themselves on watercress! Will they mature and leave each other alone if there is plenty of plant life for them, but no meat? And can they eat the various little dead insects that end up on the surface of the water?

The gaining of legs is just a rough estimate they should start feeding soon, blood worm may be eaten but they would prefer beef mince, but there should really be enough food in the pond without adding it. They will eat eachother regardless of the situation. They will eat the dead insects yes.

[Dogghound]

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.

[vole-woman]

Thanks!

[Ellkebe]

Many thanks Dogghound - best brace myself for some losses then!

[newponder]

Update on my 'poles - have spotted some very tiny back legs on some this evening so i may yet get some leaving the pond? How long does it normally take from first signs of limbs ..... anyone?

[Dogghound]

It varies but if they have legs it is more than likely that they will emerge this year, if this warm weather keep up it wont be to long.

[newponder]

Thanks for the information

Andrea