Tadpole

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A tadpole (also known as a pollywog, pollywag or polliwog) is a larval amphibian, the first stage of a frog.

[edit] Description

A tadpole (also known as a pollywog or polliwog) is a larval amphibian, the first stage of a frog or toad.

Not uncommonly, during the tadpole stage of an amphibian's life cycle, the tadpole breathes by means of autonomous external or internal gills. They do not have arms or legs until later stages in their lives, and has dorsal or fin-like appendages tail with which it swims by lateral undulation, similar to most fish. As a poliwog (tadpole) matures, it most commonly metamorphoses by gradually growing limbs and then (most commonly in the case of frogs) outwardly absorbing its tail by apoptosis. Lungs develop around the time of leg development and tadpoles late in development will often be found near the surface of the water where they breath air. During the final stages of external metamorphosis, the tadpole's mouth must change from a small enclosed mouth at the front of the head, to a large mouth the same width as the head. The intestines shorten to make way for the new diet.

Most tadpoles are herbivorous, subsisting on algae and plants. Some species are omnivorous, eating detritus and, whenever available, other tadpoles.

[edit] External link

• How to Raise Tadpoles
• Raising Tadpoles to Adulthood (University of California Berkeley)