What is the life cycle of a frog?

The change to an animal’s body from the beginning of its life until its death is called the life cycle. Most amphibians, such as frogs, start life looking very different to their parents. The incredible process by which a tiny tadpole changes shape as it grows older and finally reaches its adult form is called metamorphosis.

An adult male common frog sits near a pond and calls out loudly to attract the attention of a female frog.

The male frog and the female frog meet in the water and he holds onto her. When the female lays her eggs and the male fertilizes them.

The female frog lays hundreds of eggs, called frogspawn, in the water. Each egg is protected by a thick layer of jelly.

Between one and three weeks later, the eggs hatch into tiny legless tadpoles. They have gills for breathing in the water.

Each tadpole feeds on algae and other tiny plants. It grows bigger, and its back legs start to form after five weeks or so.

After 14 weeks, the tadpole has changed into a miniature frog. Instead of gills, the froglet now has lungs so it can breathe air. The froglet can swim in water, hop on land, and catch insects, such as small flies.

The front legs develop next, and the body changes to look more like that of a frog. The tadpole is now big enough to eat small animals, such as water fleas.

In spring, the adult frog returns to the pond where it was born. It is ready to find a mate, and the life cycle begins for a new generation.

 

Picture Credit : Google