How to Know When Frog Eggs Are Hatching

The hatching of frog eggs is a gradual process. Since the eggs are laid in masses and some eggs may hatch before others, an observer must notice the appearance of the entire mass instead of the hatching of individual eggs to distinguish when the growing tadpoles are emerging. Eggs are laid on the sides of calm stream beds, lakes, ponds, and other static water, and hatching is aided by warmer temperatures. Noticing when beds of eggs are hatching can help you maintain a better climate for your pets or classroom activities, or simply offer a scientific outdoor activity.

Things You'll Need

  • Lettuce
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify the frog egg mass either outside in its environment or within an aquarium or terrarium. The egg masses will be laid in static or calm waters in an area where there are many audible frogs. The eggs can be either floating or on the bottom of the water bed. The masses, which look like a bunch of small, dark bubbles, are usually laid around grasses, cattails, or debris. Different species will lay different sized eggs.

    • 2

      Watch for a change in color of the eggs as the cells inside develop and eat the nutrients stored inside the egg. The egg itself may become clear or change into an opaque white. This is a sign that the egg is ready to hatch.

    • 3

      Look to see when the eggs have become fully clear and begin to move. The eggs have hatched at this point. The hatching itself is less of a "breaking free" that we associate with chicken eggs, and more of a gradual development as the egg breaks off and the tadpole is wrapped in a jelly casing. The casing itself is nutritious for the growing tadpole, and once it and the remaining yoke are consumed, usually within a few days, the tadpole will begin taking its nutrients from its environment.

    • 4

      Feed the young tadpoles, if you are keeping them in a controlled environment. They can be fed on raw or cooked lettuce. Change the water, but keep the debris at the bottom of the tank, because it contains vital nutrients. Provide perching spots as well, such as rocks or a simulated shore, to aid the development of the tadpoles into froglets.