Metamorphosis of frogs and toads

Hatching takes place about six days after fertilization. The Larvae of frogs and toads are called tadpoles. As tadpoles live like fish they breathe with gills. About eight days after hatching tadpoles feed on algae and beginn to swim actively.

Young tadpoles feed on plants. Four-week-old tadpoles have a long, coiled gut to extract as much nourishment as possible from their poor diet. Tadpoles are active social animals and may school like fish.

Between six and nine weeks, the hind legs appear. Metamorphosis beginns. The body grows longer, the head region becomes more distinct. Their diet may include dead insects as well as plants now. After nine weeks the tadpole looks more like a miniature frog with a long tail. Front legs have been growing. They switch to feed on small larvae of insects and other very small animals. During the last days of Metamorphisis the tadpoles tail is gradually absorbed. The little frogs and toads start breathing with their lungs. They will leave the ponds in a few days.

In Spring (sometimes there is still some snow) frogs and toads mate in the ponds where they were born.

Most frogs and toads need water for reproduction. The male sings his 'song' to attract the females. The male clasps the female in a tight mating embrace, called amplexus. Frog spawn (the eggs) is(are) laid in 'clumps' - sometimes there are some thousands of eggs.

Toad spawn (toad eggs) is(are) laid in 'strings' - sometimes several meters long.