Over the weekend, we took advantage of the warm autumn weather to clean and tidy up the office pond.  To our surprise we discovered a single tadpole.  This September tadpole had not metamorphosed into a frog but had remained in its juvenile state.  We have seen this phenomenon before, and there could be several reasons for this particular tadpole not developing.  For example, it could have a genetic abnormality that prevents this tadpole from changing.  It could remain a tadpole for the remainder of its life.

A tadpole spotted in the office pond on a warm September day (2024).  It can be seen in the bottom left corner of the image. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur,

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

A September Tadpole

The cool and wet weather in June could have prevented the tadpole from developing properly.  Tadpoles feed on algae, perhaps there was a shortage of food or too much competition and this tadpole, plus others we did not spot, have had their growth stunted.

We certainly had a lot of frogspawn in the office pond this year.  In total we counted thirteen batches of spawn.  The frogspawn is being laid earlier in the year.  For example, this year’s spawning started in the middle of February.

To read our blog post about the first frogspawn spotted this year: Frogspawn Spotted in the Office Pond (2024).

Whilst the vast majority of the tadpoles turn into frogs in a single year, some seem to take longer. This might be a strategy to ensure more of the progeny survive.  For example, the conditions in the summer might not be ideal for the survival of the froglets as they emerge from the water.  So, if some of the tadpoles remain in the pond until the following spring, the conditions might have improved thus permitting them a greater chance of survival.

At least one tadpole from the office pond is likely to overwinter. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

We have taken out some of the weed but left plenty of oxygenating plants.  We have tidied up the waterlilies too.

Waterlilies belong to the family Nymphaeaceae.  These plants have a fossil record dating back to the Cretaceous.

We shall keep checking on the tadpole and the other pond life over the autumn and winter months.

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