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Tadpole that didnt change into a frog (1 Viewer)

moose1991

Alces alces
I saw a large tadpole back in the Autumn when all the frogs had left.
I've just seen it again & got a couple of photos.
Looks like the back legs developed & then it stopped it's metamorphosis.
Body about the size of a fingernail & is about 5cm long.
Will it go on to become a frog this year or just stay as it is & die?
 

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Arrested development, in amphibians, can occur if the eggs hatched late in the season or a second, autumnal, mating occurs. If the winter is mild enough for the tadpoles to survive then, as the weather warms up, the tadpoles will continue with metamorphosis. Judging by the size you quote there could be another reason. It could be a tadpole of a North American Bullfrog. There were escaped animals in the wild in SE England that were found to be breeding occasionally, and they were taking 2-3 years to metamorphose, but I thought they'd all been culled.
 
It's Common Frog tadpole, havent had anything else in pond.
Managed to get better photo with camera , pics in post #1 taken on phone.
It hasnt moved much , seems a bit listless.
 

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