Tadpoles, also known as polliwog, are aquatic larvae of frogs and toads. Compared to salamander larvae, tadpoles have a short oval body, a wide tail, a small mouth, and no external gills. The inner gills are hidden by a cover known as the lid.
What is normal tadpole behavior?
The main behaviors that tadpoles are involved in are feeding and avoiding predators. Tadpoles tend to forage actively, but when faced with the threat of predation, their activity diminishes. There is a trade-off between competing needs to grow as fast as possible and to prevent predators from eating.
What are the five characteristics of a frog?
Generally, frogs have protruding eyes, no tail, and strong webbed hind legs suitable for jumping and swimming. They also have smooth, moist skin. Most are mainly aquatic organisms, but some inhabit land, burrows, or trees. The numbers are different from the typical form.
What is the function of tadpoles?
Tadpoles are usually considered microeating herbivores that eat small parts of algae and higher plants, but most species eat animal material when they become available. Tadpoles often prey on dead animals in the water and often on amphibian eggs.
What are some indications for tadpoles?
Tadpoles can grow longer and deeper over time, swim faster and look bigger when there are a large number of predators. According to the Institute of Zoology, long tails of the common frog (Rana temporaria) tadpoles increase the chances of escaping from predators by up to 30%.
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