Frogs belong to the animal group named Amphibians which means two-lives. We found the amphibian metamorphosis from tadpole to frog intriguing. There were so many variations between them.
Tadpoles:
- have gills to breathe through.
- are herbivores which eat algae.
- live under water.
- have no arms or legs.
Frogs:
- live on land near water as adults.
- breathe through their permeable skin.
- are carnivorous and eat insects, worms and spiders.
- have arms and legs.
Frogs are oviparous which means they lay un-shelled eggs. The eggs are laid in the water within a gel like substance. The tadpoles will eat algae when hatched but when the process of metamorphosis begins, froglets are unable to eat and live off food stored within their tails. Once the change is complete they”ll begin eating insects.
Indoor Prep Work
- Read The Changeable Frog in the Wonderland of Nature by Nuri Mass Pg 118.
- Metamorphosis: The Life Cycle of a Frog.
- Fun Amphibian Facts for Kids.
- Listen to Metamorphosis Song.
- Watch Frog Egg to Frog in 7 Weeks.
Field Work
Visit a pond and search for frog eggs or tadpoles. Observe them to see how far along they are in the metamorphosis transition. What are they doing? What are they eating? What does their habitat look like? What other creatures share the pond with them? Can you see or hear any frogs?
Field Jouranling
Sketch the tadpoles inside your nature journal and write down your observations. Sketch a few tadpoles in their various stages and finally draw the frog they’ll become.
Activities
- Draw a picture of a frogs life cycle and label it within your journal or use the Life Cycle of a Frog notebook page.
- Download the FrogID App from the Australian Museum to identify the calls of the frogs in the area.
- Raise tadpoles.
Have you raised tadpoles? What was your experience?
Happy Exploring!
Marie
