How to Raise Red Legged Tadpoles

The California red-legged frog is a reddish-brown or gray amphibian found along the western coast of North America. While this creature once thrived in ponds and waters across California, hunting and non-native species have seriously decreased its numbers. In fact, the California red-legged frog is now on the United States Endangered Species List. Raising red-legged tadpoles is one way to help increase the specie's population.

Things You'll Need

  • Aquarium
  • Pond water or non-chlorinated water
  • Gravel
  • Rocks
  • Driftwood
  • Plants
  • Decorations
  • Filter
  • Netting
  • Alfalfa pellets and spinach
  • Crickets
  • Siphon
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Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare the aquarium for your red-legged tadpoles. Add at least 1 inch of water per tadpole. Attach a filter system to the aquarium, and make sure to cover the intake nozzle with netting so the tadpoles don't get sucked inside. Fill the tank with water from the red-legged tadpole's natural habitat. If that's not available, use non-chlorinated tap water.

    • 2

      Recreate the red-legged tadpole's natural habitat in the aquarium with set gravel, driftwood, rocks, fake aquarium plants and other decorations to ensure the tadpoles have plenty of hiding places.

    • 3

      Feed the tadpoles alfalfa pellets and spinach. Microwave the spinich in water for one minute. Add small crickets when the tadpoles begin to grow into frogs. Provide larger crickets as the tadpoles mature. Provide a constant supply of food, but don't worry if they don't eat it all right away.

    • 4

      Change the aquarium's water using a siphon to suck out about one-quarter of the tank's water three times each week. Replace it with pond water or non-chlorinated tap water.

    • 5

      Wait for the red-legged tadpoles to become frogs. Float a small plank in the water, provide a gravel pile or a rock upon which the adult frogs can rest.