How to raise tadpoles

Go out in the early spring to a park or field. Chances are they'll be a large puddle. Look for clumps of frog eggs, they look just like this!

Gently scoop up the egg mass (if you're not too grossed out) and put them in the empty container with some of the puddle water.

Set up a lamp over a small fish tank. This will only be turned on when the sun is bright. This imitates the natural daylight cycle for the tadpoles. So remember: leave it off at night!

Fill the tank so the water only rises about three inches. (Like a shallow pond or deep puddle)

Squirt a small amount of water conditioner in the water. I use beta water conditioner, it really doesn't matter, as long as the chlorine is out. DO NOT ignore this step!

Put a large rock or fish tank decor in the tank. Be sure that it pokes out of the water a good bit. When the tadpoles turn into frogs, they'll want somewhere to get out of the water and chill.

You can put multiple decorations in the tank too!

Finally: add the eggs to the tank!

This is how it should look! I'm going to add to this guide as they grow, which should happen in around a week's time.

The black embryos inside the eggs should begin to elongate around the second day. This means they are developing into tiny tadpoles!

You should start to be able to see the shape of the tail and head! If you look closely, you can even spot the little gills. Check back to this guide to see their growth from tadpoles into frogs!

They will eat virtually anything! But one of the most nutritious options for them is boiled and cooled spinach or lettuce.

You will find a few dead tadpoles, that are smaller than the rest. They did not finish developing, this is completely normal in nature. Why do you think they lay so many eggs?

Dump the dirty water down the toilet, and mix up some new water. Use water conditioner!

I've told you all about their diet, and now I'm going to show you how to make the food. Grab a few lettuce/spinach leaves.

Put them in a small bowl and fill them with water. Do not use tap water!

Microwave them for about 20 seconds.

The water should be warm and the leaves should be floppy. It makes it easier for them to eat and digest.

Pour out the hot water and set the leaves in the fridge to cool down, this takes about 5 minutes.

After about 6-9 weeks, legs should begin to sprout! 😱😃

Ah ha! Finally almost a frog! Keep them on their normal diets an add a few rocks for them to climb up out of the water on. Also, clean the tank every week if necessary.

Release your tiny frogs in a shallow and calm body of water once they are fully developed.

I hope you enjoyed this guide! 🐸🌸