Posted by ruth gerrard on April 19, 2006

Q: We're studying frogs in my Kindergarten class. One of my students brought in some tadpoles we think. They are in egg sacks and when they hatch are long and skinny. Two sac were attached to a stick. Could these be catfish? How can I tell what type of frog they are?

Habitat: forest/open woods

State: Arkansas

Habitat: forest/open woods

A: Glad to hear you're studying frogs. I think they are interesting. I can't be sure whether you found frog eggs or salamander eggs. But I think I can help you decide what you have once they hatch. I'm quite sure they are not catfish eggs.

Once the animals hatch, if they are tadpoles they will look different from salamander babies. Salamander babies will have tiny front legs and tiny gills that stick out from their body just behind their eyes. Tadpoles have gills inside their body and no legs. So, wait until they hatch and then look closely to tell one kind from the other.

When they hatch you will need food. If you have some pond or creek rocks with plants growing on them or dead leaves from the bottom of the pond, these will be good food. You can also give goldfish food that sinks to the bottom. Do not feed more goldfish food than they can eat in a day so the water stays clean. Good luck and if you have more questions, please write.

John Wiessinger ( April 19, 2006)

A: Here is a web site that has photographs of several species of frogs and salamanders that breed in shallow, fishless pools: vernalpools.enaturalist.org. under 'amphibian eggs' and you will see images of egg masses of wood frogs, spotted salamanders and others, and under 'amphibian larvae' there are images of tadpoles and salamander larvae.

When your eggs first hatch, it can be difficult to tell salamanders from frogs, but after a few days they will look quite different. A hand lens will help you see the legs.

I have had success feeding larval salamanders micro-invertebrates that live in pond water. A large bottle full of water typically has lots of these critters. A fine mesh net from an aquarium store will catch insect larvae (my salamanders like mosquito larvae a lot!) and larger micro-invertebrates like copepods and daphnia. Just pour the pond water directly into the tank with the salamanders.

Hope this helps.

Solon Morse ( April 19, 2006)