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The life of a frog is an incredibly interesting one. Not only do frogs move between two mediums, water and land, they also fertilize thousands of eggs. Read this article to learn of the life cycle, birth and characteristics of frogs.
Frogs mate with the male attaching his legs around the female, and releasing sperm onto her eggs as she drops them. Female usually pick creek or pond areas to lay their eggs, and they pick water that is very gentle so their eggs will not be damaged. They leave eggs near algae, so that small tadpoles will have food. It is usual for the mother to then watch over the frogs for a small while, although some species leave their eggs at this point. Eggs are clear, with small black dots in the middle. If an egg dies, it turns white or gray, and the tadpole within cannot be seen. Eggs sit for an average of fifteen days before tadpoles hatch.
While eggs sit, the embryo within them develops rapidly. Of the 4000 or so eggs that the female hatches, perhaps one half will hatch. The single cell at the heart of the egg splits into two, then four, then eight, and so on. The mass of cells that develops contains tiny organs, a tail and a head. Gills form, and the tadpole can live off embryonic fluids. It stays this way for twenty-one days, until it leaves the egg into the water.
When tadpoles first hatch, they are very fragile and tiny. many attach themselves to a branch or grass and feed on the remainder of their egg, now in their stomach. Within five to seven days, the tadpole begins to swim around and interact with its environment, feeding on algae. In four weeks, the tadpole begins the process that will turn its gills into lungs. Small teeth develop at this point, and the tadpole begins to move out of the water on more occasions. In six to nine weeks, the tadpole starts to grow legs, and it begins to digest its own tail. At nine weeks, the tadpole should still contain tail pieces, but have the characteristics of a frog. At twelve weeks, the tadpole has digested its tail and developed the scale, oily skin of the frog. Frog arms are now fully developed. By this time, twelve to sixteen weeks, the tadpole is free to begin the life cycle all over again, laying eggs and hatching new tadpoles.
It is possible to see this life cycle in a nearby pond or creek, and even collect egg spawn and watch it occur. While doing this, be careful to research the life of tadpoles, and how to raise them. Frogs, as tadpoles and young animals, are very fragile. It is important that one be serious about caring for them. Find a tank or shallow pan, and fill it with water and higher areas for young frogs. Then obtain direction and a manual for raising frogs from the Internet of a local pet store.
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