At last - the froglets are on their way
October 2024
Much much later than expected the tiny froglets are gathering on the lawn and hopping their way over to their favourite spot - under the honeysuckle, against a wall with plenty of cover and most often wet.
I really didn't think they were going to leave the pond this year but lots of them decided 7 months was late enough. Still VERY tiny though, as you'll see if you click through to this short video.
Or rather it's NOT happening. By now the tadpoles should have turned into little froglets and be running around all over the garden.
But they are still in the pond and although they have advanced since gaining their gills (see previous post) the majority haven’t even developed any legs or arms yet. Only one or two of them have their back legs, see photo.
There is a known condition where, if the circumstances in the pond aren’t just right, the tadpoles don’t change and they will over-winter in the pond and hopefully metamorphose next year.
It’s gonna get crowded in there come next Spring!!
I'll keep you posted.
This little taddie is 4 weeks old and now has external gills. The frilly bits on either side of it's head.
Here's what the tadpoles look like in my pond today. April 3rd 2024
these are 4 weeks old. Click the image for video and keep checking back for more.
