Will Cold Pond Affect the Growth Rate of Tadpoles? (Have 4 baby frogs so far)

[dogstarheaven]

well, I have about 4 v baby frogs that I've spotted around the edges of my pond, and the rest of the tadpoles are at varying late stages of developement. will these still grow into adulthood at all? as I have a storage container sunken into the ground with a depth of 12 or so inches with steep sides (one big rock at one end for the frogs to climb out), do you think there's less chance of them reaching this stage because of the coldness of the water? I know that the winter that we've just had have had a delay on their developement (as with everything else in nature), but I'm beginning to worry that my pond is less than ideal for a wildlife pond (my previous threads have been about this). I haven't tested the temp. of the water, but I do realise that the taddies like to hang about the water surface around the edges of the pond.

Altho' other pondlife are looking good (no damsel/dragonflies due to it's small size and that i'm in an inner-city area), with my native plants thriving. some pondsnails and something looking like a baby leech-type of thing?? (anyone ID for me..it's black about 4cm long or so).

would appreciate any advice or comments

[Dorts]

Unless you are pumping gallons of cold water into your pond, I shouln't worry about the frogs/tadpoles development. The long hot spring/early summer will have made up for any delay in their growth.
Tadpoles, (if they don't get eaten in the meantime) can go right through the winter to become adults the following year if things turn cold too soon, that is provided the following winter is not too harsh. Lots of 'ifs & buts' I know.
Just don't let the pond dry out and all will be fine I'm sure.
Dorts.

[Littlesparrow]

My Tadpoles seem a bit slow developing this year some tads showing no sign of legs yet. It was a very cold winter in Cheshire, cold enough to freeze two frogs to death in the water feature. Now we have the opposite, might rain tonight but the ground needs it, poor frogs in my pond are very hungry.

[dogstarheaven]

thanks for your replies dorts and littlesparrow. coincidentally, i did top up the water level over the w/e as it had dropped by about 2 inches. i know i should of used rainwater, but my butt's empty. and yes, i know that tap is not great for ponds as this will encourage more algae/nutrients to form (i'm v vigilant about weeding as it's such a small pond, it's quite quick to do.) i haven't seen my babies on the ground for some time now, but i guess they're shading themselves in all the foliage of my plants.