Tiny Tadpoles

What are these underwater blobs? They contain eggs--lots and lots of eggs!


In March and April, frogs, toads, and salamanders lay their eggs. These amphibians spend part of their lives in water, and part of their lives on the land. If you look carefully in ponds, you can often find some of these eggs. Often you can even see the tiny animals developing inside.

Different amphibians lay their eggs in different places. Wood frogs, for example, only lay eggs in vernal pools. Vernal pools are special ponds that are only wet in the spring time. The pool in the picture above dries up completely in the summer. Because of this, no fish can live there. This means that the tadpoles will be safe from predators!

Other kinds of tadpoles can stay safe from predators, even in larger bodies of water. The American toad lays its eggs in ponds and lakes. They share the water with larger animals, like fish. But these toad tadpoles stay in the very shallow water of the lake. This way, they are out of reach of the larger fish!

Tadpoles are easy to find in ponds and lakes. Are there any near you? Try visiting a local nature center or park and asking if there are tadpoles nearby. Be sure to take a parent or adult with you if you go near the water. Can you find any eggs? What about tadpoles? Good luck!