Live Vertebrates >> Amphibians >> Frog Eggs

Frog eggs are encased in a gelatinous fluid and laid in water. During these breeding periods, a female may deposit anywhere from 19 to 30,000 eggs! Each egg sack alone can, depending on the species, contain hundreds and hundreds of eggs. Since frog eggs are a favorite delicacy of many predators, laying the eggs in large numbers usually assures that at least a few will hatch into tadpoles, and an even fewer number will grow to be adults.

When the tadpole has had enough time to develop inside the egg, the envelope holding the egg in the mass will either disintegrate or a chemical that the tadpoles secrete will cause the egg to break up. The tadpole will then emerge, using its external gills to collect oxygen from the water and its small, specialized mouth to collect algae. The tadpole will quickly develop a long, compressed tail which helps it to maneuver around in the water.

Seasonal, only available in early spring.

• Tadpoles (Various Sizes)