Cool! Tadpoles!!

[Betty Munro]

You will probably need to help them get out once they grow legs.  Even if they can climb trees, the side of the pool might be too slippery to get out on their own.  Does water cover the entire bottom of the pool?  I discovered that tadpoles will drown if they don't have an easy way to get out of the water once they get their hind legs.  A stick or 2x4 angled out of the water is a lifesaver. 
If you need to catch and release and don't already have a fishing net, you can fashion one out of pantyhose and a wire hanger. 
Also, they might need a food source.  Tadpoles can sustain on lettuce (anything but iceberg).  If you freeze it first it makes it easier for them to eat.  (I don't know why, but I read that on a how to care for tadpoles thread and raised about 50 tadpoles to released frogs.) 

Enjoy!  This is a great experience, not just for the kids, but for you too!!!

[Mairte]

Yep, we had planned to help them out because I cant see them getting out themselves.
The pool is somewhat lopsided because of the ground so we have one end with no water and it gradually gets deeper as you get to the other end.
It wasnt filled up, the water in there is rain water mostly, though I have a bucket sitting if more water needs to be added when its dry.
So far it looks like they are living on algae and parts of dead bugs, but I will try a little lettuce too, thanks! 
Myself and daughter are loving the experience! 

[Rowan MacD]

  Tadpoles also eat mosquito larvae and dragonfly nymphs,  so as long as the frogs and tadpoles are in the pool you won't have problems with water breeding pests in there.   

[Mairte]

That is what I told my neighbor when they were worried about mosquito larvae.
Some are growing legs now! 

[Mairte]

Yesterday I discovered we dont just have regular green frogs in the pool. I discovered tons of tiny little tree frogs! They are bright green and about half the size of my pinkie fingernail. I did see some super small tadpoles but as I know NOTHING about treefrogs, I didnt really think about it.
As I have said, cheap entertainment.

[Lady Christina de Pond]

nature is often cheap entertainment
thats cool that you have tree frogs too.

[Mairte]

Well, I knew we had treefrogs around, I have seen/heard adults.
The other ones look more and more like frogs every day and hang out mostly in the shallower areas now. I am hoping they grow before we get a good freeze or I will have to rig up something in the house and conduct a rescue mission. Keeping an eye on the temps...
Oh! The reason I think these little ones are tree frogs is that they stick to the sides of the pool above the water. I have never seen the other types of frogs do that.

[Mairte]

Got most of the little frogs out of the pool but there are a few "stragglers". It's been a fun experience anyway.
My next door neighbor, a couple weeks ago, said she had wondered where all the frogs were coming from. But we both agreed we like frogs better than bugs and there certainly were less bugs this year!

[scarletnyx]

Aww you're so lucky Mairte! 1. We have a small apartment full of snakes, so no room for an aquarium big enough for tadpoles even though I desperately miss/want fish/tadpoles/any water feature and 2. You have a private pool and I am jealous! our apartment building has one, but it's only nice if the college kids who stay here aren't there. Otherwise, it's partially shaded and actually pretty nice.

[Mairte]

LOL, my "pool" is kind of a "ghetto" type. Not inground, but its a big intex frame pool.  I hope to take it down after the weekend. If not all the tadpoles are out, they will go into an aquarium to finish up.
I was told the little green frogs are baby Gray tree frogs.
Hey, YOU are lucky to have snakes! A friend of mine has three albino burmese pythons, one 14 foot long. In my life I have had cornsnakes, kingsnakes, milksnakes and one ball python. None currently though.

[scarletnyx]

LOL, my "pool" is kind of a "ghetto" type. Not inground, but its a big intex frame pool.  I hope to take it down after the weekend. If not all the tadpoles are out, they will go into an aquarium to finish up.
I was told the little green frogs are baby Gray tree frogs.
Hey, YOU are lucky to have snakes! A friend of mine has three albino burmese pythons, one 14 foot long. In my life I have had cornsnakes, kingsnakes, milksnakes and one ball python. None currently though.

Me and the Mr. have 4 - two water snakes, and two Texas Rat snakes. We used to have turtles, but the female had eggs and we decided to let all of them go at the same time. I miss them, and I miss the smell/sounds/sights of a water tank. But I love my little snakey friends They watch me when I'm bustling about cleaning the lovenest, as if they know their daddy isn't here to watch me.

[Taffy Saltwater]

I wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed reading about your adventures in frogland. Thanks for keeping us updated.

[Mairte]

LOL, thanks you! (blush)