Tadpoles in October

Megamarv · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 08:18 PM

Today whilst walking on local moorland, I came across a tarn where there were lots of tadpoles in the water. Is this normal? I thought frogs/toads only mated and laid eggs in spring.

Farplace · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 08:27 PM

Welcome to the forum!!
In colder, more mountainous parts of the UK tadpoles often develop more slowly, taking 12 months+ to become frogs/toads/newts. They can be found overwintering as tadpoles in the higher parts of County Durham and Northumberland, for example. I suspect the same applies to any of our higher regions.

Littlesparrow · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-2010, 10:54 PM

I have some late tadpoles in my pond there always does seem to be about six or so that over Winer and change into frogs next spring. The pond has plenty of food stocks, but I am up North and it can be cold.

Dogghound · #4 (**permalink**) 08-10-2010, 04:59 PM

Most tadpoles take a long time to develop in nutrient poor oligotrophic ponds/tarns.

Megamarv · #5 (**permalink**) 21-10-2010, 09:16 PM

Thanks to Farplace, Littlesparrow and Dogghound for your prompt and helpful replies.

Every day when walking my dog I see something in the natural world which I wonder about, and will be asking many more questions!