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A tadpole or polliwog (also spelled pollywog) is the larval stage in the biological life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial. Tadpoles have some fish-like features that may not be found in adult amphibians such as a lateral line, gills and swimming tails.
Tadpole. The tadpoles' appearance changes throughout their development. When newly hatched, they are 8 mm (0.3 in) long and when fully developed, 44 mm (1.7 in). They are initially mottled with brown, and increase in pigmentation (to either green or brown) during development. Their undersides are initially dark, but later become lighter in hue.
Eggs can hatch in under 30 hours and tadpoles can fully develop in one month. [13] They have wide caudal fins and two rows of labial teeth on the top of their mouths and four rows on the bottom. [14] Tadpoles survive on algae and will occasionally eat other tadpoles, [13] and on rare occasions, recently metamorphosed juveniles. [15]
Researchers have found that negative effects of low temperatures and high ultraviolet-B (UVB) radiation on tadpole survival are greater when the two stressors are combined. [5] UVB radiation decreased the survival of striped marsh frog tadpoles, but there was an increasingly large mortality rate when low temperatures were involved. [5]
The tadpole of this species is considered unpalatable to many species that would commonly predate on tadpoles. They also exhibit behaviors to avoid predation. To avoid fish, the tadpoles will move to stream margins in order to make them inaccessible to the fish. The tadpoles will also reduce activity after sensing a fish's chemical cues. [21]
A magical underwater image of western toad tadpoles has won the 2024 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
Cats have a keen sense of smell, and it's possible that they don't like water because they can smell chemicals in it. When it's time to give your cat a bath , be patient, calm, and pamper your kitty .
Adults hunt in spring and summer, but only at night or during light rains. Spadefoot tadpoles are dimorphic. Within a cohort, some tadpoles have large mouthparts, while others have much smaller mouthparts. As well as consuming other types of food, large-mouthed individuals are cannibalistic, swallowing other tadpoles whole. [4] [10]