California Reptiles & Amphibians




Rana catesbeiana - American Bullfrog,
Tadpoles and Development

(=Lithobates catesbeianus)







Page 1 - American Bullfrogs, habitats, information, range map

Tadpole, San Bernardino County
Mature tadpole, San Bernardino County
Group of tadpoles, San Bernardino County
Tadpole out of water, Del Norte County
© Alan Barron
Mature tadpole, Yolo County
Tadpole, Merced County
Tadpole, Merced County
Mature tadpole with all four legs (same as the tadpole to the left, 3 weeks later)
1 Day before transforming and leaving the water (next photo).

The following series of pictures shows the Merced County bullfrog tadpole depicted above after metamorphosis - as it begins to breathe air, walk on land, gradually lose its tail, and transform into a frog.


Metamorph, Day 1

Metamorph, Day 2
Metamorph, Day 3
Metamorph, Day 4
Metamorph, Day 5
Metamorph, Day 6
Metamorph, Day 7
Metamorph, Day 8
Metamorph, Day 9
Juvenile, Day 14
Juvenile, Day 29



Short Video


   
  Although they are quick to swim to the bottom when first approached, American Bullfrog tadpoles will usually calm down and resuface, where they slowly swim, float, and socialize.  


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