I need help to identify tadpoles in my pond...

ld0121 · #1 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 11:00 AM

Hi all, I have a few different looking tadpoles in my pond, but Im not sure what they are. I know I have frogs and newts in the pond. Can you help identify them... see the pic

http://www.wildaboutbritain.co.uk/ar...a/507/tads.jpg

Thanks

bigdave60dog · #2 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 11:12 AM

Number four could be a "newtpole" the rest look like ordinary frog taddies in different stages of development to me.
Dave

GCN lova · #3 (**permalink**) 26-06-2011, 12:44 PM

i dont know for sure but they look like normal toad tadpoles and number 4 is a newt larvae.

iminei · #4 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 06:27 AM

Why TOAD tadpoles??????
To me it looks like number 4, as has been said, is a newt in the making and the others are frogs (toads????) at various stages...(Obviously numbers 1 and 2 ate all the pies!!)
I'd be interested to learn the difference between frog and toad tadpoles!

Matt Smith · #5 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 10:00 AM

If you really really want to be sure of the differences between frog and toad tadpole then look that heir teeth, there are differences in the numbers and spacing of their rasping teeth.

In the pond, toad tads are black and often swim about in large shoals, they stay black for much of their life. Frog tads are more solitary and develop a speckled green/brown pattern as they grow.

~T~ · #6 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt Smith

If you really really want to be sure of the differences between frog and toad tadpole then look that heir teeth, there are differences in the numbers and spacing of their rasping teeth.

In the pond, toad tads are black and often swim about in large shoals, they stay black for much of their life. Frog tads are more solitary and develop a speckled green/brown pattern as they grow.

Frog tads are also much more predatory and will kill and eat toad tads if kept together in captivity (from personal experiance lol).

GCN lova · #7 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 03:56 PM

(Apparently) if you put a tadpole in your mouth (which apparently they dont mind

) and they taste horrible their toad tadpoles. toad tads are jet black but frog poles are golden brownish. as i said i cant see the colour so im not 100 perecent sure.

shotski · #8 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 07:28 PM

They look like common frog tadpoles and one common newt tad, not sure
about tadpoles being predators

this is a new one on me.

marvin · #9 (**permalink**) 28-06-2011, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shotski

They look like common frog tadpoles and one common newt tad, not sure
about tadpoles being predators

this is a new one on me.

agreed...looks like four frogs and newt to me

tim

iminei · #10 (**permalink**) 29-06-2011, 05:58 AM

If you really really want to be sure of the differences between frog and toad tadpole then look that heir teeth, there are differences in the numbers and spacing of their rasping teeth.

hahahahahaha, I can imagine it now:- "OK, Tads, open wide"......well by the posts here all the tads I have ever had are toadpoles?! C'mon, all tads are black..ish, surely, Shirley?