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Tadpoles

Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,570
in Wildlife gardening
I noticed a few days ago that I still have tadpoles in my pond, no sign of developing legs yet. I am guessing they must have been laid much later than usual. I know they will be either toads or frogs as I have both in my garden.

Posts

  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,029
    They might just overwinter and develop as frogs next year ,if they don't get predated. That's common in more northern areas because of the timing of the seasons. There just isn't time for them to get to maturity.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • LynLyn Posts: 22,889
    And here, @Fairygirl if there are too many they can hold back to the following year as well as the weather conditions.
    Gardening on the wild, windy west side of Dartmoor. 

  • YviestevieYviestevie Posts: 7,063
    I've got some in my pond too.  Always have a few hangers on.
    Hi from Kingswinford in the West Midlands
  • Joyce GoldenlilyJoyce Goldenlily Posts: 2,570
    I do not give my tadpoles much of a chance as I have newts as well so I think the taddies might well be winter dinners for the newts.
  • thevictorianthevictorian Posts: 1,051
    If I take a scoop with a net in my pond I find tadpoles at just about every stage. We have had lots of froglet's leave the water but still find some growing legs or ones that haven't even started. I know these are all from this year because we had fish last year and never had tadpoles. It's a common thing for them to develop at different rates because it's the best survival strategy. 
  • sutton.langleysutton.langley Posts: 32
    I have a new wildlife pond, so far i have 6 plants , and quite a few stones to enable easy access. Will I have to wait till Spring for my first frog , I wonder?

  • frankiejpmillerfrankiejpmiller Posts: 25
    I nurtured about 100 tadpoles and took immense pleasure in watching them grow
    They all seem to have left though!
    Is that normal, or will they be hanging about hiding?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 54,029
    Once they become froglets @frankiejpmiller , they move away, and spend their time in other suitable areas of your garden, or nearby areas, until fully grown.  :)

    Many of them don't make it though - they're easy prey for predators of all types.

    If there are frogs in your general area @sutton.langley, they'll find a route in, but it can depend on many factors, mostly habitat and what predators are around. The more shelter, and other hiding places you can provide, the better it is for them. They don't spend much time in ponds themselves.  :)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • frankiejpmillerfrankiejpmiller Posts: 25
    Ok thanks
    Haha I did spot a wee one a few days ago just walking about and I was delighted!

    I've put loads of bark around the pond, with some clay pots on their sides, buried to try and give them places to hide
    Also try to wet the bark regularly so it stays damp

    Just looking forward to them maturing and coming back, en-masse to meet up again for the circle of life to start again!
  • FireFire Posts: 17,403
    edited August 2022
    I had no idea tadpoles could carry over to the following year! Altitude seems to make a difference.

    A very tiny percentage of tadpoles become adults. Mostly they are food.

    Approximately 2% of frog eggs become tadpoles, 0.8% of tadpoles become froglets, and 0.1% of froglets become mature frogs capable of reproduction





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