How to Raise Tadpoles in a Bathtub

Raising tadpoles is an educational way to watch metamorphosis in action. By doing so, adults and children alike will have the opportunity to learn about young frogs' daily lives and habits in a contained and safe environment. Raising tadpoles in a bathtub is a simple enough project if done correctly. However, like any project involving living creatures, it is an undertaking and should be taken seriously.

Things You'll Need

  • Tadpoles
  • Bathtub
  • Gravel
  • Rock
  • Spinach or lettuce
  • Crickets or fruit flies
  • Water
  • Plastic container
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Instructions

    • 1

      Identify what types of tadpoles you have acquired. You can find out more information about your tadpoles by visiting the U.S. Geological Survey's website. Figuring out the type of tadpoles you have will determine how long metamorphosis will take. For some species it can take weeks, while with others it can take months.

    • 2

      Fill the plastic container with tap water and leave the water out in the sun for approximately five days so that it can dechlorinate. Chlorine is hazardous for tadpoles, and there should not be any source of it in their environment. If there is, the tadpoles can die.

    • 3

      Prepare the tub by placing an even amount of gravel along the bottom once the water is ready for use. In addition, place the rock on top of the gravel, as tadpoles need a land source in their habitat.

    • 4

      Pour the water into the tub. The water should be shallow. Afterwards refill the container with tap water and put aside to dechlorinate for later use. The water should be changed every seven days.

    • 5

      Open a window in the room containing the tub or place the tub where it can be exposed to sunlight. Tadpoles require some sunlight to thrive. However, too much direct sunlight can be harmful, so sunlight levels need to be monitored daily.

    • 6

      Feed the tadpoles lettuce or spinach no more than twice a day, as most are herbivores. You could freeze the lettuce or spinach, let it thaw out and then feed it to the tadpoles; that could make it easier for them to consume. Make sure to come up with a feeding schedule that can be easily followed.

    • 7

      Switch the food source to crickets or fruit flies as the tadpoles begin to mature, and you see physical changes to their appearance (i.e. they begin to look more like frogs).

    • 8

      Release the frogs into the wild close to the area in which you originally found them if it is legal to do so in the area in which you live.