California Reptiles & Amphibians

Rana aurora - Northern Red-legged Frog, Pg. 2 - Eggs and Tadpoles

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Egg mass, Humboldt County © Maureen Krinsky	Egg mass, Humboldt County	Egg mass, Humboldt County

Egg mass, King County, Washington	Recently-laid eggs, Thurston County, Washington © 2004 William Leonard	Old egg masses, Lewis County, Washington

Egg masses, attached to dead grass stems, Lewis County, Washington		Egg mass, King County, Washington

Eggs close-up	Close-up of Eggs and embryos, in late stage of development	Tadpole eyes are set in from the margin of the head. Compare with P. regilla
The following series of pictures show the development of a tadpole over the course of several months.

1. Recently-hatched tadpole	2. Rear legs developing (1.5 months later)	3. Rear legs increasing in size (1 month later)

4. Rear legs increasing in size (8 days later)	5. Front legs developing (2 days later)

5. Front legs developing	6. Tail decreasing in size (5 days later)
The following series shows the metamorphosed tadpole absorbing its tail after emerging from the water to live on land.

6. Metamorph, day 1 on land	7. Metamorph, day 2	8. Metamorph, day 3

9. Metamorph, day 4	10. Metamorph, day 6	11. Metamorph, day 10