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Scoutmom   Clawedfrogsrule   Scoutmom  
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 #2020332


Scoutmom
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 Bullfrog Tadpole Info?

For a Boy Scout Merit Badge, we scooped 2 tadpoles from a neighbor’s backyard access to a creek. We have them on our front porch in a tank with water from the creek & rocks/formations they could climb on, when/if we get to that point. After much comparison of tadpole pictures and identifying the types of frogs & toads that are in the area, we are fairly sure that both are bullfrog tadpoles. One is about 7 inches long & has small back legs, the other is about 4 1/2 inches long with no legs yet. Both are the same dark greenish color with black spots all over and a light colored under-side.

Any info would help...the boys are supposed to watch them, ideally, turn into frogs, but with the research we’ve done, it seems they may be a whole season or more away from full development. The boys can watch them for 30 days for the requirement, but should we expect any development with them at all? I do not want frog pets, which is why we did not buy tadpoles, I want to put them back where they came from when this is done. The boys are still hoping they’d get to see the full development if we kept them longer than 30 days. Any thoughts?
06/11/09  01:03pm

 #2020555


Clawedfrogsrule
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   Message To: Scoutmom   In reference to Message Id: 2020332


 Bullfrog Tadpole Info?

The one with back legs MIGHT change within 30 days if you’re lucky, probably it’ll take a bit longer though. The one without legs could take up to 2 years to change if it’s a bullfrog. They’re very slow to develop.
06/11/09  06:51pm

 #2021513


Scoutmom
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   Message To: Clawedfrogsrule   In reference to Message Id: 2020555


 Bullfrog Tadpole Info?

Thank you very much for your thoughts. The boys have convinced me to keep them until the end of August. The big one’s legs are growing every day. At least if we put them back before Fall, they will still have time to burrow or do whatever they do to get through the cold winters here.
06/13/09  12:31pm


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