Very big tadpoles

[Littlesparrow]

Some of the tadpoles in my pond are getting very big but don't have any legs yet. Is this o.k.? I think I remember reading something about minerals lacking in the water stopping them developing. Anyone have any ideas on this?

[marvin]

hi

it is common for tadpoles in the same body of water to develop at different rates. they do seem to get very big before developing limbs and the froglets that eventually develop will appear to shrink to about half the size. you should, though, have some tads that are more developed by now and many areas will already have fully developed froglets.

cheers
tim

[Littlesparrow]

Thank you Marvin, none of us have seen any froglets yet. it was a very cold winter up here in the North and I think alot of the wildlife delayed breading.

[Martin Dyer]

From 22 clumps of spawn that was deposited in my pond I have the full range of small tadpoles with no legs, med size with rear legs, big with rear legs, med size with all four legs plus long tail, and the same with short tails. And of course, quite a few little froglets out and about leaping around.

There does seem to be greater variation in the prgression this year

HTH

Martin

[Littlesparrow]

Thanks, the weather has been quite nice the last few days so I will go and have a look at the tads and see if they have any legs yet.

[Littlesparrow]

Good news, some of the giant tads now have little back legs, so looks like they are changing now.