What are tadpoles?
Tadpoles are the immature (larval) forms of frogs that hatch right from the egg. All tadpoles are completely adapted to live underwater. Like fish, they breath through gills rather than lungs. Tadpoles eventually transform themselves through a process called metamorphosis into adult frogs. Hormone changes within their bodies cause their legs to develop and their tails to be re-absorbed into their bodies. Wow! What do frogs eat? Adult frogs and toads are always predatory, preying on insects mostly but also smaller frogs and fish. Tadpoles are mostly vegetarian, grazing on algae that grow in leaf or rock surfaces under the water. Sometimes, very large tadpoles, such as bullfrog tadpoles, become meat-eaters and sometimes even eat other frogs! Does anything eat frogs? Tadpoles can be a significant food item for fish, mammals, and even other adult frogs. Adult frogs are preyed upon by snakes, raccoons, herons, and other terrestrial (land-based) predators. So whats the difference between a f
