How to Raise Tadpoles to Frogs

Catching tadpoles is a favirote hobby for children in springtime.

Tadpoles are extraordinary creatures, and go through a metamorphosis that never loses its magic. In the spring, children across the nation take joy in finding and observing tadpoles for both toads and frogs. Many people take this enjoyment a step further and take the tadpoles home to raise them.

Things You'll Need

• Fish tank
• Dechlorinated water
• Plastic containers
• Lettuce/spinach
• Hard-boiled eggs
• Rock

Instructions

1. Get together your tadpole supplies before you collect any tadpoles. Use an old fish tank to keep your tadpoles, and allocate 2 to 3 tadpoles to each gallon of water. Tadpoles need plenty of space or they will be poisoned by the waste and lack of oxygen in the water. Put some rocks in the water so that the tadpoles can get out of the water when they start to develop lungs.

2. Fill the tank with dechlorinated water. Allow the rocks to poke up out of the water, but make sure there's enough water for the tadpoles. Allow the setup to settle for 24 hours before you collect tadpoles.

3. Go tadpole hunting in the spring. Frogs lay eggs on plants and rocks at the edge of ponds, rivers, lakes and creeks. Look for tadpoles in places where you've noticed a high concentration of frogs and toads. Fish tadpoles out of the water using plastic containers so you get some of their water, and transport them home.

4. Transfer tadpoles to your tank. Keep the tank in a safe place, out of direct sunlight. Feed the tadpoles chopped lettuce and spinach twice a day, and chopped hard boiled eggs twice a week.

5. Monitor your tadpoles. Once they begin to grow legs, it means that their lungs are beginning to develop. They should begin to crawl out on the rocks. At this point, start feeding them flies, gnats and very small crickets.

6. Maintain your tadpoles until they are fully developed frogs. Tadpoles can take several weeks to a year, depending on their species.

Tips & Warnings

• Larger tadpoles are toads and will take longer to metamorphose.

• Smaller tadpoles are frogs, and will metamorphose quickly.

• Keeping tadpoles out of the water for extended periods of time will kill them.

• Chlorine and cleaning products will kill tadpoles.

References

• Amphibian Care FAQ
• PetPlace.com: How to Raise a Tadpole