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Is this frogspawn fertilised?

CraighBCraighB Posts: 712
in Wildlife gardening
Hi guys,

I have an old cast iron kitchen sink in the garden which I filled with water a few years ago and I noticed not long after that there was a frog in there! It has laid lots of frogspawn this year and there is a small black dot in the middle of each one... Does this mean they are fertilised?

I'm really hoping they turn into tadpoles!! 

Posts

  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    edited April 2020
    When the dot turns to a comma shape, then you know.
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 712
    So can they have the black dot but not be fertilised?
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    edited April 2020
    Yes. The black dot is part of the egg. It is only when it develops into an embryo and becomes shaped like a comma that you know the spawn was fertilized. 
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 712
    I really hope they change shape then! I keep checking every day  :D 
  • GemmaJFGemmaJF Posts: 2,286
    Fingers crossed for you! If the eggs do develop and the embryos start to fall out of the eggs and drop to the bottom of the sink, don't panic. It is a normal part of their development. They lay at the bottom looking dead for a day or so. Really they are still developing and will start swimming soon after. 
  • CraighBCraighB Posts: 712
    Oh I'm glad you told me that because I would have probably thought they were dead!  :open_mouth:

    Well the spawn has been in there about 2 weeks now so hopefully I will see changes soon :)
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