Tadpole update
Mar 15, 2019 18:34:20 #
relbugman wrote:
Tad food suggestion: get a small jar of a mixed ba... (show quote)
That is a good idea. I am already finding they nearly all like to keep near the surface and lots congregate on a lettuce leaf and the parts of the plants that are close to the surface, keeping their heads above the water. I am changing part of the water with pond water stored at the same temperature. I will get a ramp going as well.
Mar 16, 2019 13:07:08 #
I really enjoy watching their progression so thanks for keeping them posted. I find the rate of their transformation quite fascinating.
Mar 16, 2019 19:45:43 #
shagbat
Loc: London
EnglishBrenda wrote:
Hi Dennis, we have 2 small ponds in the garden but there are no other natural water sources near us except the sea. I understand they always go back to the pond in which they were spawned when they are ready to spawn as adults so I will let them go here. I believe the survival rate is quite low but I will do what I can to protect them.
Remember my boast that my frogs spawn on 16th of Mar. Brenda? They did! I have 2 ponds one small (2500 litres) and one very small (no fish) 2 Days ago I watched 2 frogs couple in the larger pond, then the female carried the male to the small pond. Pouring with rain, I didn't attempt any pics. Ponds are fun!
Mar 16, 2019 20:07:15 #
shagbat wrote:
Remember my boast that my frogs spawn on 16th of Mar. Brenda? They did! I have 2 ponds one small (2500 litres) and one very small (no fish) 2 Days ago I watched 2 frogs couple in the larger pond, then the female carried the male to the small pond. Pouring with rain, I didn't attempt any pics. Ponds are fun!
Ha ha, your ponds sound like great fun, I have never seen one frog carrying her mate to another pond. Good luck with all the spawn.
Mar 16, 2019 20:39:38 #
shagbat
Loc: London
EnglishBrenda wrote:
Ha ha, your ponds sound like great fun, I have never seen one frog carrying her mate to another pond. Good luck with all the spawn.
It's normal for toads Brenda, male is tiny compared to female, she carries him to the water anyway!
Now they've started, frogs will spawn for about a week and there will be far too many tads to survive. Fish do take a toll, but they don't seem to avidly gorge on them. I do release some spawn in local ditches etc. if I get too much. Not illegal as others in UK might tell you.
Mar 17, 2019 04:25:23 #
shagbat wrote:
It's normal for toads Brenda, male is tiny compared to female, she carries him to the water anyway!
Now they've started, frogs will spawn for about a week and there will be far too many tads to survive. Fish do take a toll, but they don't seem to avidly gorge on them. I do release some spawn in local ditches etc. if I get too much. Not illegal as others in UK might tell you.
Now they've started, frogs will spawn for about a week and there will be far too many tads to survive. Fish do take a toll, but they don't seem to avidly gorge on them. I do release some spawn in local ditches etc. if I get too much. Not illegal as others in UK might tell you.
I wondered how many tads my 3 fish would eat from those eggs that remained in the pool. When the water warms up I will release some of those I have in tanks into our other small pond where they should be safe except for the wild birds.
Mar 17, 2019 04:31:53 #
shagbat
Loc: London
Magpies will eat spawn and blackbirds are keen on the young froglets, but these will not appear till late summer. Interestingly, some tads do not morph in a season, they can overwinter and emerge the following year. I derive great pleasure each year from my amorous amphibians!
Mar 17, 2019 04:41:16 #
shagbat
Loc: London
Oh, my larger pond is heavily populated with fish. I'm certain the fish eat many, but I've never actually seen that. A major threat is from Felix Domesticus. As they spawn. The heron finds them easy prey at the natural spawning sites. The heron and I have had a few confrontations fishwise!
Mar 17, 2019 04:50:04 #
shagbat wrote:
Oh, my larger pond is heavily populated with fish. I'm certain the fish eat many, but I've never actually seen that. A major threat is from Felix Domesticus. As they spawn. The heron finds them easy prey at the natural spawning sites. The heron and I have had a few confrontations fishwise!
I had read that some don't morph until the following Spring. Our fish pond is mostly covered as the seagulls take the fish but we have made it easy for frogs to get in and out. I hadn't considered the cats, always something to worry about eh?
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