Reptile & Amphibian Forums

My daughter bought in about 30 tadpoles in July we have them in a good set up I think.
Clean water ,air and food.
The tadpoles are not growing the way they should.
They are growing but not becoming frogs.
The thing is were in fall and winter will be here all to soon.
I want to know can they stay tadpoles through the winter months?
If so how do you take care of them.
I also have a 55 gallon aquarium to place them in until we can free them in the spring if they become frogs.
But I want to really know is it to late to set them free will they make it this late in the season?
And what can I buy at a pet store to feed them if they do become frogs over the winter?

Seems like they should have at least had a noticable difference in tail length. Have they gotten any shorter? or are they getting longer? It almost sounds like your tadpoles MAY be newts or salamanders???
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**Kenn**

Yes they have gotten bigger and some are getting longer thicker tails.
But they are tad poles from all pictures I have seen.
I just really need help asap knowing how to take care of these sweet things through the winter so this spring we can set them free.
They flip over on their backs to eat the food we give them their just so cute.

Since they're getting longer thicker tails I definitely think you have either salamanders or newts. The tank set-up should be 2/3 water, and 1/3 "land" being either moss, sand, rocks, etc. a place for them to climb out on. Probably before spring you may neerd a bigger tank? They eat various worms (mealworms, waxworms) very small crickets depending on their size. About 1/2 as big as their head on crickets. A UV-A/UV-B bulb, keep water level up as it evaporates so the water is more-or-less getting replaced about once a month. A filter for the water that creates waterfalls like so it oxygenates the water. and you should be pretty well set.
You could do a search on salamanders and newts to find the exact type for more specific info on that particular kind.
Enjoy it sounds like fun.
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**Kenn**

they could be bullfrog tads, they take 1-3 years to morph into frogs. did they tell u what kind they were at the store? if they are bullfrog tads you could probally let them go. if you want to keep them though just feed: tropical fish food, greens/lettuce (no iceburg, algae, dead plants, dead bugs, and live water plants like duckweed (they love this). sometimes they do not grow as fast if the water temp. is too cold. it should be around 77. not below 75 and not above 82.

They are not newts.
I did research they are tadpoles of what kind I have no clue. My daughter took them from a muddy shallow bed of water.
Some are moving along good now you can see the first start of little back legs.But were concerned because winter will be approaching us soon.
I just need to really know how to take care of them until spring if they become baby frogs.

taking care of tads is easy, just feed fish food, keep water about 75F and clean, and you should be good. contact me at otis07_@hotmail.com if you have any more questions. good luck!