Well, they were definitely frog eggs. I moved some to the bath tub with lilies & just in time, too. The fish found them shortly after. The ones in the tub are bigger than tadpoles & are a beige, tan color. They seem to like duckweed, LOL. I'm thinking leopard frog. Haven't got a pic yet ... batteries are low on camera. They're fighters, too. The tub drained twice (completely & don't know for how long but the minnows in there died) & yet they're still alive & kicking. The tub has been fixed & won't drain again.

clip this post email this post what is this? see most clipped and recent clippings Posted by mikeygraz 5 Omaha, NE (My Page) on Fri, Jul 11, 08 at 15:43 PervinPatty - Obviously you didn't do YOUR research on this subject. You undoubtedly got your information from the following website: www.californiaherps.com This is an excellent resource, and I know some of the people who have put that whole thing together. You obviously didn't look at the species list closely enough, as you will see that the southern leopard frog (Rana utricularia) is an INTRODUCED species - that means it is not native and doesn't belong there! While northern leopard frogs once had a few spots in northerneastern California where they were present, it is likely that they are EXTIRPATED (that means they are gone) from the state now, as it also says on that site and if you actually took the time to read scientific journals (as I do) you'll see that repeated efforts to find relict populations have failed. Also, you'll notice that northern leopard frogs never ranged into Central california, where you say you live...so again, that goes back to my saying you shouldn't be bringing in nonnative or nonlocal species. Obviously you didn't read my original post - do you really think that a northern leopard frog (or leopard toad, as you put it, haha) with its origins in North Carolina would survive in your region? I doubt it...not to mention the fact that it is ILLEGAL. You tried using the word "indigenous" as well - you have to use that word with some measure of scale - there are lots of anurans indigenous to California - but how about YOUR LOCAL area? I guess by your rules, you could take a Couch's spadefoot toad from extreme southeastern CA and put it in your pond...because its indigenous to California, right? Or maybe a Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea), because they are indigenous to the United State, and they sure are pretty! Again, do your research, and if you're too lazy to go find some construction sites or golf courses nearby you, then tough luck. Don't get pissy at me for advising and educating you about the problems that could be caused by your actions. ~Mike An old post but worth repeating!

futureprodigy, When you're through with your demonstration of frog development, keep the adults in an aquarium or kill them. Please don't release them. The places I know that sell frogs eggs, sell them for educational purposes only. They're not meant for stocking ponds and are not screened for diseases. Not unlike the little turtles that are illegal to personally own because of the health risk, but still can sold for educational purposes. Also, the species of frog eggs you receive may or may not be what you ordered. The companies will substitute depending on availability. Usually this is stated somewhere in fine print but not always since the "product" is meant for educational purposes. You might very well receive eggs from a species not native to your area.

I copied this as it was easier than typing it out. It applies to Ohio but should be good for Illinois as well. "The woodfrog is an example of an explosive breeder, a species that congregates in large numbers at breeding ponds for a very short mating season lasting only two or three days to a week. They become active in mid-March and remain so until late October. Spawning is accomplished in small temporary pools, swamps, or semipermanent ponds and takes place from mid-March to early April in northeastern Ohio. Woodfrogs often lay their clutches of eggs aggregated in a central location of the pond thereby forming huge rafts of eggs deposited below the surface of the water. Individual egg masses are globular in shape and measure 75-100 mm in diameter. Each mass may contain 1000-5000 eggs with each egg swelling to 6-7 mm in diameter upon hydration. The eggs hatch in 14-21 days, and transformation occurs 61-115 days following spawning. Woodfrog tadpoles are dark, nearly black, and transform the year they hatch at lengths of 38-48 mm. Recently transformed woodfrogs 15-18 mm in length may be found from early June through late July. Sexual maturity is reached in two years." Here is a link that might be useful: Frogpatch Where kids and adults learn nature