Tadpoles in Somerset in December???

[The Woodman]

I have overwintering tadpoles most years and put it down to overstocking with rescued spawn in the spring.

[TORTUGA]

Originally Posted by The Woodman

I have overwintering tadpoles most years and put it down to overstocking with rescued spawn in the spring.

I can agree with that, late developers do over winter and carry on developing the next year, I have come accross the odd one in the middle of winter if I have been clearing out silt in the pond. I guess it would depend on how many you have in there.

[Billabong Karen]

Yeah, I have a few taddies overwintering too, as well as immature newts. But this sounds like he has more than just one or two.

[Dogghound]

I know several nutrient poor moorland pools which have 100's of metamorphs overwintering each year.

Adding more tadpoles to a population undoubtedly puts pressure on the resources available for the existing population and does slow down the development of the whole population.

[bigdave60dog]

I too have had overwintering tadpoles. I put it down to poor nutrients in the water. I have also seen Great Crested Newtpoles in the winter in a soft water tank that I used to have.
Dave