Frog reproduction begins in spawning. During the course of a few weeks, the fertilized eggs hatch into frog larvae or tadpoles.


Fertilized frog eggs.

Frog larvae have adapted to life in water. They have gills, which makes it possible for them to filter oxygen from water. In addition, they also have a long tails, making movement in water easier. 

Frog larvae are called tadpoles. They are herbivores, eating algae that they find in the water. They develop and grow in water for 2–3 months. During this time, they develop eyes, limbs, and lungs. Slowly, their tail shrinks away. Finally, the tadpoles move to land and start to eat small animals.

The life cycle of a frog progresses through the egg and tadpole stages into the adult stage. It is an example of a metamorphosis.

Frogs reach reproductive maturity at the age of two years. When this occurs, they navigate their way back to the pool of birth to spawn.

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