Southern Leopard Frog
Rana utricularia
Size: to 3.5"
Habitat: in and around water
Notes: Sometimes wanders well away from water.
Tadpoles are larval frogs. They prefer quiet vegetated waters, where they feed on algae, although under adverse conditions they may even become cannibals. Tadpoles are clumsy swimmers and are usually found in waters devoid of predatory fish, such as temporary pools. Eventually, they grow legs, lose the tail, and climb out of the water as frogs ( or toads. ) Anyone who hasn't raised a tadpole in a jar has missed a part of their childhood.
