Although these two factors play an important role in triggering overwintering in common frog tadpoles, there are other factors, not fully understood, that appear to be involved. However, temperature alone does not appear to be enough to trigger overwintering in tadpoles food availability also appears to be important. These findings suggest that cold weather conditions in the early autumn may affect tadpole development, perhaps by affecting endocrine function. Under laboratory conditions, lower temperatures and reduced food availability during the summer resulted in a higher proportion of individuals remaining as tadpoles during the winter (Walsh et al., 2016). In addition, the decision on whether to over‐winter as a tadpole appears to be made relatively early in the season (Walsh et al., 2008). (2016) found that temperature and food availability were key factors. Our understanding of the exact factors which trigger overwintering in tadpoles are not fully understood, but research by Walsh et al. However, there are many ponds in the UK where this does not occur, which allows for overwintering of tadpoles. What causes some tadpoles to metamorphose and others to remain in the water over the winter? Often, ponds drying out or freezing over can limit the capacity for frog tadpoles to overwinter. However, a number of common frog tadpoles each year will remain in ponds and spend the winter in the water, metamorphosing into juveniles the following spring (Figure 1).
They will spend the rest of the summer and autumn foraging and feeding on small invertebrates in preparation for the winter. Digital Amphibian and Reptile Conservationĭuring June and July in the UK the majority of Common Frog ( Rana temporaria) tadpoles metamorphose into juveniles which leave ponds for terrestrial habitats.
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