FAQs about spawn and tadpoles: raising in captivity

Raising tadpoles is great fun for kids and adults! (Jules Howard)

WILDLIFE INFORMATION SERVICE

Frequently Asked Questions about... spawn and tadpoles:

I would like to raise tadpoles in captivity, is it illegal and what do I need to know?

It is not illegal to raise common frog or common toad tadpoles in captivity. We do recommend, however, that tadpoles (or froglets) are released back into the same pond from which they were taken. This reduces the threat of moving amphibian diseases or invasive pond plants to new ponds.

Watching tadpoles develop can be a great educational project for children: we advise following the advice in the FSC's Guide to Keeping Frog Tadpoles, available from our shop.

Key points are to have around 3-5 tadpoles per litre of water, and ideally they should be kept in pond water. If tap water is used it should be left to stand for a day or so to let the chemicals settle out. Feed newly hatched tadpoles on boiled (and cooled) lettuce or spinach, and fish food (for cold water fish) when they get bigger. Make sure there are rocks and plants for the developing froglets to climb on, if they can not easily exit the water at this stage they can drown.

If you keep the tadpoles until they have metamorphosed into froglets please do not release them back into the pond, instead release them into some damp vegetation close to the pond.

More information:

Identifying amphibians. >>>

How do I tell the difference between frog, toad and newt spawn / tadpoles? >>>

Dragons in your Garden. >>>