The Tadpoles Hatch

Newly hatched tadpoles
© 2006 David Jones

Around three weeks after spawning, the tadpoles hatch out from their eggs. They are each about 12mm long. They still feed from the old jelly mass and any algae which is growing on it.

At this time most of the tadpoles seem to be together. Can you see the feathery gills on the sides of their heads? At the moment these gills are on the outside of the tadpole's body. The tadpole breathes through them, getting oxygen from the water.

See how their gills develop