Newt Spawn is taking shape.
Mar 11, 2019 15:59:21 #
Without disturbing them too much, I just couldn't get a focused image, they are lower in the water which is a little green. I am refreshing part of their water each day from the pond and have added more water plants.
These are developing and some are wriggling in their jelly parcel and showing gills. They are funny, when surprised they fold up, head to tail. They then move about but when all is quiet they go still again just like baby Shield Bugs or balls of the Garden cross spider (Araneus Diadematus) which do the same.
These are developing and some are wriggling in their jelly parcel and showing gills. They are funny, when surprised they fold up, head to tail. They then move about but when all is quiet they go still again just like baby Shield Bugs or balls of the Garden cross spider (Araneus Diadematus) which do the same.
Mar 11, 2019 17:11:38 #
Mar 11, 2019 18:26:43 #
I am beginning to worry about what I have taken on here. They are in a warmer environment now and the ponds are cold so returning them now would be harmful even done gradually. Roll on summer.
Mar 11, 2019 18:59:18 #
Mar 11, 2019 19:41:15 #
I think with the external gills these may be newts. In any case as they develop the egg jellies will soften considerably.
You might object to this, but it is ok (in my view at least) to collect a few and keep them in a small shallow cup indoors. The water can be changed with the water incubating the main mass (not with tap water).
This way you can photograph very closely under well controlled conditions.
You might object to this, but it is ok (in my view at least) to collect a few and keep them in a small shallow cup indoors. The water can be changed with the water incubating the main mass (not with tap water).
This way you can photograph very closely under well controlled conditions.
Mar 11, 2019 22:11:33 #
I agree with Mark in setting up the shot in a controlled condition. For one thing you can put specimens in clean water. Then you can experiment with lighting to avoid glare. Lastly you can get set up, cool specimens and be ready as they emerge from torpor.
I wonder if these are toad tadpoles. Not knowing timeline, it is hard to say from your photos. This is the right time of year for salamander tadpoles, but early for toads. In the US, at least.
But if these are developing rapidly that says toad. Spadefoot toads can go from heavy rain, leaving large puddles, to baby toads in between two and three weeks. Toads in the family bufonidae not as fast.
If in a few days, if they still have gills, then salamanders. These eat some algae, but will need diatoms and other arthropods for food later to mature.
Don't you love microcosms, tho. Always something new.☺️
I wonder if these are toad tadpoles. Not knowing timeline, it is hard to say from your photos. This is the right time of year for salamander tadpoles, but early for toads. In the US, at least.
But if these are developing rapidly that says toad. Spadefoot toads can go from heavy rain, leaving large puddles, to baby toads in between two and three weeks. Toads in the family bufonidae not as fast.
If in a few days, if they still have gills, then salamanders. These eat some algae, but will need diatoms and other arthropods for food later to mature.
Don't you love microcosms, tho. Always something new.☺️
Mar 11, 2019 22:14:38 #
EnglishBrenda wrote:
Without disturbing them too much, I just couldn't ... (show quote)
I forgot to mention. If they will not obey, try kindness. Flogging is cruel😀😀
Mar 12, 2019 06:42:00 #
Mark Sturtevant wrote:
I think with the external gills these may be newts. In any case as they develop the egg jellies will soften considerably.
You might object to this, but it is ok (in my view at least) to collect a few and keep them in a small shallow cup indoors. The water can be changed with the water incubating the main mass (not with tap water).
This way you can photograph very closely under well controlled conditions.
You might object to this, but it is ok (in my view at least) to collect a few and keep them in a small shallow cup indoors. The water can be changed with the water incubating the main mass (not with tap water).
This way you can photograph very closely under well controlled conditions.
To MARK and BILL, thanks for your suggestions which I will work on. I did, in fact, move a few to a shallow dish but couldn't get a nice shot of them, just silhouettes, perhaps because they are a dark colour without much definition, I will try again today. I believe I have only frogs in the garden which a neighbour found and gave me last summer. There are no natural waterways or ponds near our house but perhaps other houses have garden ponds. This morning their development has advanced a little more.
Mar 12, 2019 10:00:38 #
Lighting could be tricky. For that, the water can be shallow, and if possible have the dish be clear glass with good supplemental lighting from below. A clear plastic spoon might do the trick.
Mar 12, 2019 10:08:50 #
Holy Moly, what a difference a few days make. I'm eager to see their next progression.
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