Tadpoles in The Classroom NSW DEC
Tadpoles in The Classroom NSW DEC
Tadpoles in The Classroom NSW DEC
partb_frog
Equipment
The following is required: plastic tub or aquarium. A plastic tub is safer for cleaning. smooth piece of wood angled into tub for tadpoles to emerge onto as they grow legs dip net or aquarium net jug for water changes garbage bin to keep aged water in household bleach pump and air stone.
Approval has been given from Department of Environment and Climate Change for schools to collect up to 20 tadpoles from the same source. When two tadpoles have metamorphosed into frogs, they should be returned, with the remaining tadpoles, to the place from where they were initially collected. If the environment conditions are not suitable for the species being kept, the tadpoles may never metamorphose into frogs. When school holidays are due, schools holding tadpoles must make suitable provisions for daily monitoring during these periods. If daily monitoring is not available, then all the tadpoles should be returned to the place from where they were originally collected. If, after six months, the tadpoles have still not metamorphosed into frogs, the tadpoles should be returned to the place from where they were initially collected.
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/animalsinschools/index.htm
October 2009
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environmental conditions and inadequate nutrition can make tadpoles sick. To keep the tadpoles healthy, maintain good water quality and feed them appropriate foods. Bacteria and fungus can also affect tadpoles. The volume of water that tadpoles have access to can affect their growth rate. Do not overcrowd the tadpoles. Keep a daily monitoring chart. Check off daily water changes, feeding and any comments about the behaviour of the animals. As the tadpoles develop legs, their gills recede and they are then unable to breathe under water. At this stage, the tadpoles need areas where they can sit above the water line.
Collecting tadpoles
Ensure that the housing is ready before collecting tadpoles. A maximum of 20 tadpoles only can be taken from one body of water. Do not collect tadpoles from different sites as this could cause disease contamination. Tadpoles must not be collected from a National Park. It is important that all equipment used to catch and carry tadpoles is either new or disinfected prior to use.
Suggested resources
Web sites
Australian and New Zealand Council for the Care of Animals in Research and Teaching (ANZCCART) www.adelaide.edu.au/ANZCCART Environment Australia www.ea.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/ Frog Census in South Australia www.epa.sa.gov.au\frogcensus Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW Inc. www.FATS.org.au NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water www.environment.nsw.gov.au/wildlifelicences/ FrogKeepersLicence.htm Frogs Australia http://frogsaustralia.net.au/ Amphibian Research Centre http://frogs.org.au/ October 2009
Feeding
Feed the tadpoles once daily. Feed only enough to be eaten within one hour. If there is food left at the end of this time, remove it and feed less the next day. Suitable food includes algae disks, fish flakes or lettuce, which has been boiled or frozen to break down the cells.
Health
Learn about what is normal behaviour for tadpoles and check them daily. Incorrect
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www.schools.nsw.edu.au/animalsinschools/index.htm
October 2009
www.schools.nsw.edu.au/animalsinschools/index.htm
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