Frog/Newt Spawn. Urgent question

[Akion-Totocha]

Sorry for the demanding title, but a few days ago my kid sister brought home some Frogspawn home with her after we went walking with the dog. There were masses of other clumps, so I didn't see the problem. It was from a boggy area, with thick mud settle, grass, and 3-5 inches of water from the bottom of the mud. It was a small clump (about two cupped handfuls, and certainly the smallest of the group.) And it looked exactly like Frogspawn. I'm no expert, but it was a giant ball of clear eggs, with small black dots in each egg.

Now they've started hatching, and look nothing like any frogspawn I've seen. A search on google brings it up that they are Newt spawn. They have a tail, a stomach, a head, and little fan things where a fishes gills would be. (if they were fish)

Only the eggs from the outside have hatched, the ones in the middle of the clump are still dots. So I was wondering if a Newt would have laid it's eggs around a frogs spawn? But most of all,

How do I care for Newt babies? The same as frogs? They wiggle and wave their little tails like they're swimming, but all the little spawn have their heads facing up, and still wiggle. I'm confused a lot right now. Frogspawn is pretty safe - I had a clump when I was a kid. It's a great learning experience, and you get loads of tiny frogs to release into the wild... but with Newts, I'm not so sure.

Can anyone help me please? :/

[marvin]

hi

newts lay eggs individually under pond plant leaves. they are also much paler than the black dots of frogspawn. i am pretty sure you have all frogspawn with the outer taddies hatching first because they are warmer and this has speeded up their development compared to the others.

cheers
tim

[dampflippers]

When frogs are first "born" they are just little black things about 1/4 inch long with gills. In a few days the gills disappear, so don't worry- you definitely have frogspawn.

Click on this link for photos showing developing tadpoles:
The Pond in March 2002 and Frog spawn Watch.

[Akion-Totocha]

Ahh.. so cool *dances*

Thank you to all for your help. Some really fat Tadpoles have only one tiny gill now, but the smaller ones have two larger ones. But all your help was greatly appreciated, and I thank you all individually.

I love the little tadpoles. They're so cute, and it will be a shame to let them go. But it has to be done... later.

But thank you again.

Akion Totocha