Tadpoles, the enchanting early stage of nearly all frogs' life cycle, are remarkable creatures indeed! They begin their journey in water, swimming with their slender tails and breathing with gills, much like fish.
Over time, these wiggly swimmers undergo an extraordinary transformation known as metamorphosis. What starts as a little aquatic creature will gradually lose its tail, develop legs, and ultimately emerge as a fully formed froge ready to leap into its terrestrial life!
Did you know that not all tadpoles are herbivores? While most feed on algae and plant materials, some have been known to be carnivorous, consuming insects or even other tadpoles!
The transformation period can vary; some tadpoles morph into adult frogs within a matter of weeks, whereas others may take several months to complete their change.
Take a look at our interactive tadpole growth timeline to explore their journey in more detail.