Tadpole | Definition, Gills, & Facts - Britannica

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You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience and security. Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos tadpole Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics Images & Videos Tadpole Littlejohn's tree frog tadpole tadpoles life cycle of the European common frog See toads engage in amphibious amplexus and witness metamorphosis of tadpoles into toads rocket frog Britannica AI Icon Contents Science Biology Life Cycle, Processes & Properties CITE verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. Select Citation Style MLA APA Chicago Manual of Style Copy Citation Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/tadpole Feedback External Websites Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback

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  • Frontiers - Tadpole Responses to Environments With Limited Visibility: What We (Don�t) Know and Perspectives for a Sharper Future
Tadpole
Tadpole Tadpole metamorphosis follows a pattern of gradual development, which can be observed through the appearance of forelimbs and hind limbs and the resorption of the tail. (more)
tadpole zoology Ask Anything Homework Help Also known as: polliwog, pollywog Written and fact-checked by Britannica Editors Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... Britannica Editors History Britannica AI Icon Britannica AI Ask Anything Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask Anything

tadpole, aquatic larval stage of frogs and toads. Compared with the larvae of salamanders, tadpoles have short oval bodies with broad tails, small mouths, and no external gills. The internal gills are concealed by a covering known as an operculum. Tadpoles undergo a visually striking metamorphosis before they achieve adulthood.

Also called: polliwog (Show more) Related Topics: frog and toad amphibian frog toad How Do Frogs Breathe? (Show more) See all related content
Littlejohn's tree frog tadpole1 of 3
Littlejohn's tree frog tadpoleLittlejohn's tree frog tadpole (Litoria littlejohni) lives in forest habitats along the eastern coast of New South Wales and Victoria in Australia.(more)
tadpoles2 of 3
tadpolesCompared with the larvae of salamanders, tadpoles have short oval bodies with broad tails, small mouths, and no external gills.(more)
life cycle of the European common frog3 of 3
life cycle of the European common frogEuropean common frog (Rana temporaria) eggs take about 35 days to hatch, and young reach sexual maturity some two to three years later.(more)

Most tadpoles are vegetarians, although those of a few species are carnivorous or even cannibalistic. Tadpole metamorphosis follows a pattern of gradual development of forelimbs and hind limbs, resorption of the tail, shortening of the intestine, disappearance of the gills, and development of lungs. Upon completion of metamorphosis, the tadpole emerges onto land as a young froglet or toadlet. The tadpole stage can be as short as two weeks or as long as three years. For most species the tadpole stage lasts from one to three months.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by John P. Rafferty.

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