FAQs about spawn and tadpoles: spawn doesn't develop

Spawn is suscpetible to prolonged cold temperatures (Sam Taylor)

WILDLIFE INFORMATION SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions about... spawn and tadpoles:

The spawn in my pond never develops properly, what's wrong?

The two common reasons for 'spawn-failure' are:

Late frosts: spawn can be extremely sensitive to frosts, particularly during long spells of icy weather.

Lack of light: to develop, spawn requires lots of light. If your pond is too shaded you might notice that spawn fails to develop.

Occasionally pond-owners notice a white filamentous fungi covering dead spawn. This is a natural decomposer of dead pond matter.

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation also receives reports of ponds where spawn continues to fail year after year - the jelly coating breaks down before the tadpoles are fully developed and ready to hatch. Moving the spawn to hatch in a bucket of rainwater can sometimes combat this but even this does not always help. Unfortunately, it's unclear what the cause might be and how best to help.

More information:

What's the best pond design for amphibians? >>>

There is spawn in the pond but icy weather is due, should I protect it from frost? >>>

Amphibian disease. >>>