Columbia Spotted Frog Tadpole

For the last couple of weeks Columbia Spotted Frog tadpoles are changing (metamorphosis) into frogs. You can see the fully developed hind legs in this photo. The front legs develop inside the tadpole’s body and do not become visible until they pop out fully formed. This tadpole had also lost it’s gills and was seen swimming to the surface to suck in air. The tail is the last to disappear as it is reabsorbed into the body.

Metamorphosis is a particularly hazardous time for amphibians as they do function well in either water or on land. At this stage they are less efficient at avoiding predation than either tadpoles or frogs.

Posted on February 14, 2020 05:09 AM by larryhalverson larryhalverson

Observations

Photos / Sounds

What

Columbia Spotted Frog (Rana luteiventris)

Observer

larryhalverson

Date

July 26, 2012 09:46 AM MDT

Description

Tadpole - Only Columbia Spotted frogs in this pond see https://inaturalist.ca/observations/20797009

Journal Entry https://inaturalist.ca/journal/larryhalverson

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