Frog Metamorphosis
The story of frog metamorphosis continues to be told year after year in schools and homes around the world.
| The Frog World Bullfrog Canyon Tree Frog Red-legged Frog Pacific Tree Frog Poison Dart Frog Western Toad |
The story's long shelf-life might be partially attributed to both timing and location.
In less than three months, almost anyone living near a pond or a wetland can watch as a tadpole slowly develops into a frog.
Starting with egg laying, all tadpole development occurs in the water.
They move from a legless to leg stage. The picture on the left shows a tadpole with back legs. They are the first to grow.
Legs help tadpole propulsion in the water, enabling it to feed better and continue to grow. Different tadpole species have different dietary needs, however most eat algae.
Eventually, tadpoles begin to develop front legs and lungs to help with life on land.
Once developed, tadpoles, now commonly called froglets, begin their first investigations of land. At this point in time, as the picture shows, they retain their tails.
In a short time, froglets lose their tails and move to land. Depending on the species, metamorphosis takes anywhere from a couple of months to a year.
© 2005-2007 Patricia A. Michaels