Normally, when you buy a pet it supposedly looks the same till the end of its journey. Like a dog will be a dog, a cat will be a cat and a bird will be a bird. They go as they come. But you might have an exception is this case – a tadpole. Tadpoles are pretty much aquatic/amphibian creatures. At their earlier stage they are a fish kind, while later they transform into a frog. Unlike, other pets where it’s just the age and little bit of appearance that changes with time, tadpoles shows an entire transition. Not only physically and culturally, but also behavioural and appearance changes.
You must never forget some things when you get a tadpole or its eggs.
- Make sure to arrange a big container for the pet. It can be anything ranging from a fishbowls, plastic bins, garden pond, small pool etc. Even a large tank or an oven roast bowl can work.
- Tadpoles require freshwater to survive. If you are using water from creeks or ponds, beware that it’s clean.
- Put an apt base for it in the container. Use a gravel to cover. Add some weeds and grass to it, so that the tadpoles can hang on to it. Tadpoles eat the roots, so make sure the plants in the container are not sprayed with any kind of pesticides.
- Your container must have a shade area. This helps the tadpole get out of the sunlight when it wants to.
- Keep only 5-10 tadpoles per litre of water. You can even keep more, but then there is possibility of them becoming violent with their growing period.
- Feed them with boiled romaine lettuce for not more than 15 minutes. They are cooked when they turn soft and squishy. Feed them a pinch every day. Well, tadpoles can even survive on normal fishy flakes, but remember they should be in pinches and crushed properly as they have small mouths. If the tadpoles turns out to be carnivores they can be even fed with bloodworms.
- If in worst scenarios, your tadpole dies, they appear grey. And usually floats at the surface of the water, which can be easily removed.
- The most apt place of finding frog eggs can be near the edge of small puddles and ponds. You can easily identify them. They are small transparent round in shape with a dart black dot in the centre.
- Add some aquatic plants in the container, which helps in oxygenation of the water and even provides a place for them to hide.
These were some tips when the tadpole is still small and on its way to become a frog. But what after it turns into a frog? Is there any difference in the living process? The obvious answer to this is yes! A frog life is pretty much different than a tadpole. With growth in size and structure changes the eating, sleeping and behavioural patterns. An adult frog eats more, is more active and needs comparatively less attention.
To properly understand your pet it is necessary to be well informed regarding its growth process. This helps you be ready at emergence.
- STAGE 1: The journey of transformation of a frog from an egg in a real long one. You need to be extremely patient in the way. An egg usually develops into a tadpole in nearly 6 to 12 weeks. So it’s a long wait, even before you see a moving creature as your pet. Till then pretend that the egg you are nurturing has eyes and legs. During winters, when its comparatively cold the transformation speed degrades. So be cool about it.
- STAGE 2: Once your tadpole is out, make sure your container has enough dirt in it. This helps the tadpole to crawl up, and prevents from drowning.
- STAGE 3: in some time, the tadpoles grow in size and start sprouting their arms. In this period of time, one must take care that the tadpoles are not fed anything. They survive on their tails, which helps them convert into an adult frog. So do not break the chain. This is their period of metamorphosis.
- STAGE 4: Once they are turned into froglets, their size and shape changes. And so does their needs. If you are planning to further pet the frog, it’s advisable to increase the size of their container.
- STAGE 5: after the metamorphosis, see that you provide food in larger amount. Because they are drained of energy during the process, and needs to regain it.
- STAGE 5: Stop being a boss to the frog. Many frogs don’t like being handled. Your pet home must be very clean. Otherwise bacteria and enzymes can grow inside them, which can even kill the frog.
Seeing a tadpole turn into a frog is one of the most fascinating journey one can experience. It is really like growing an infant into an adult. Instead of going with the same usual pets one can always experiment with something new. It can be a learning experience. You never know when you get flabbergasted!