A Guide to the Amphibians
and Reptiles of California

Rana aurora - Northern Red-legged Frog - Eggs and Tadpoles

Click on a picture for a larger view

Eggs

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	Mature egg masses, Lewis County, Washington

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

Egg masses in pond, mid-February, Pacific County, Washington

Egg mass, Lewis County, Washington	Egg mass at edge of pond, early February, Pacific County, Washington.	Eggs close-up
Tadpoles

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	Young Tadpole
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 (6 weeks later)	3. Rear legs increasing in size (10 weeks after hatching)

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 - about 3 months after hatching.)
The following series shows a newly metamorphosed frog 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
Short Videos

Northern Red-legged Frog breeding habitat with eggs in Washington.	More Northern Red-legged Frog breeding habitat with eggs in Washington.