Tadpoles in november

dorispod · #1 (**permalink**) 22-11-2010, 11:50 AM

HI,

On Saturday I saw 3 tadpoles in my pond. It is a wildlife pond, it has deep points and ledges so is ideal for frogs. It has lots of plant life. The pond is only a year old. Why are these tadpoles still here? They have no legs.
We did have many that did not develop even in late summer but they disappeared, so if any one knows please let me know

Thanks

Deb London · #2 (**permalink**) 22-11-2010, 12:15 PM

The tadpoles will not now develop until next spring. Some tadpoles delay development in this way. Hopefully someone will be along to remind me why this happens.

Dogghound · #3 (**permalink**) 22-11-2010, 12:15 PM

This is very common in in new and unestablished ponds. Due to it being new it has not built up large invertebrate/algal populations yet in which the tadpoles can feed. These will overwinter then emerge next year.

hoppit · #4 (**permalink**) 24-11-2010, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dorispod

HI,

On Saturday I saw 3 tadpoles in my pond. It is a wildlife pond, it has deep points and ledges so is ideal for frogs. It has lots of plant life. The pond is only a year old. Why are these tadpoles still here? They have no legs.
We did have many that did not develop even in late summer but they disappeared, so if any one knows please let me know

Thanks

Hi Doris,
On Monday while I was clearing a lot of that dreaded Canadian Pondweed (which was strangling it!) from my wildlife pond (my pond is 4 years old) I saw a biggish tadpole coming up for air and was quite surprised to see tadpoles still. I had loads develop into froglets in the summer. Back in March when they were breeding I counted over 30 pairs of frogs. I just hope I didn't
pull out any tadpoles on Monday.

Good luck, Ray.