A Tadpole, Polliwog and Polwig

Just in case you were wondering what in the world is a Polwig, here it is.  Yes that is it.  You most likely know it by another name such as Tadpole, Pollwog, Pollywog, Polliwig, Purwiggy, Pollywiggle… well you get the point.

We have gotten lucky since a friend of mine had few too many of these critters hanging around her pool and figure it was just about time to have them move somewhere else.   But if you are in the mood for tadpoles you can do it three ways.

-You can buy a Pet Frog Kit on line for 20-40$.  It even comes in a Star Wars Edition.  Why? Doesn’t everything come in a Star Wars Edition?  If interested click here.

-You can go buy tadpoles in the store.  They are usually sold at your local pet store or a pond store

-Get a net, a jar, or in my friends case a kitchen strainer and spend an afternoon with your kiddos at the creek, pond, swamp.  Turn over a couple of rocks, look around algea and you should be able to find them.  Make sure to bring the water and some weeds with the tadpoles so they will feel at home.  Do not add any tap water.

So we spent the day observing.  My daughter who is not feeling well loved them and how they open their little mouths to eat.  She thought they were sending her kisses.  Every time I would put them away I would hear “Mommy I want the frog.  I want to kiss”.  I wonder if that is where the kissing of the frog came from?

We do have tadpoles in various sizes ranging from one little itsy bitsy one to one HUGE one.  I hope the little one does not become lunch since it is so cute.  It reminds me of pictures from a human reproductive cycle, even though it is large enough to see.  It is even smaller then the little one captured below.

My daughter absolutely loves them.  As for my son I am not sure if he even saw them since she was hording them so much.

It takes about 6-12 weeks for tadpoles to turn into frogs and I understand that tomorrow I will need to move these guys into a bigger container with more pond water.  I know that  just like me you love the martini shaker in which they reside but I am worried they will run out of space soon.

So far these are the coolest pets ever so much cuter then fish and it is great to know that once they turn into frogs they are going back to the pond.  As for their growth cycle continue to Part II by clicking here.