Metamorphosis

We finally released our last frog!

I can't believe we started this project on August 8th 2009.

Who knew it would take six months for nine tadpoles to change into frogs?
Considering they were hatched into a drainage ditch that dried up ages ago, I don't know how any of them ever survive in the wild.

The one in the first picture is about the size of a small pea. That's a Bromeliad he's sitting on. I thought that since they hold some water and we have a lot of them, the bromeliad garden was the best place to let them grow up.

When researched, we discovered that they were all Southern Chorus Frogs at different stages of development. We put together a simple unit study to document our findings.

Some things we learned along the way:

1. Not all tadpoles turn into frogs at the same time, it took 30 days for the first one.
2. You have to change the water weekly and make sure the water you use has been aged.
3. As they start to grow legs you have to add some stones and lower the water so they can climb out.
4. They love goldfish food!
5. Adding some floating live plants will help the water stay clean and provide additional food.
6. You can't release Florida frogs during an unexpected freeze!
7. Be prepared to care for them for months, depending on the species of frog.
8. Keep your frog habitat away from new kittens.
9. Don't expect to ever see them again once you release them (so try not to name them).
10. Don't put them in your aquarium with other fish, they will get eaten!