Happy Monday, everyone. I know the bad news is the weekend is over, however, the good news is Wild Facts is back for another week! I hope you have had your morning coffee and are prepared to learn something new today. You have? All right then, let’s get right into it.
We are going to start the week off by discussing a unusual defense mechanism that tadpoles utilize. You can imagine that it would be very difficult for a tiny little tadpole to survive in the harsh water, surrounded by numerous predators. Even bugs such as the dragonfly nymph will be a legitimate threat to the tadpoles well being. So, how do these little soon to be frogs cope with this? Well, they get eaten! No, I am not just messing with you, this is really how they defend against predators. Don’t go for another coffee just yet, let me explain!
You see, when a tadpole gets eaten by a predator it will release a chemical that impacts other tadpoles in the area. This chemical will trigger a morphological change in the nearby polly wogs. The living tadpoles will react to this chemical by growing bigger and developing a large red tail, which allows them to swim faster. So you see, the one tadpole that made the ultimate sacrifice will end up saving its siblings. Now that these tadpoles are faster and stronger they have a much better chance for survival and will one day turn into the little frogs that they are meant to be. Of course, once they are frogs they have to wait for that special kiss before they can complete their final morphological change into the handsome Prince!
Have a great Monday!!
Wow! I didn’t realize that. Well I’m good for the day I just learn something new. We used to always call them polly wogs (which I see you did mention in your facts).
Thanks Nathan!
I wasn’t sure if anyone would know that they were also called “Polly Wogs”. Good to know that somebody knew they were called polly wogs.
Thanks for reading!
Very interesting. Probably one of our favorites – your humor makes learning fun!
Glad you are enjoying the posts. I love writing every post although, some days I feel funnier than others. Thanks for reading and for the encouragement.
Interesting. What happens to those who miss that special kiss? Just wondering 😉
I believe those froggies live out their lonely life in the cold pond. I know some have tried several online dating sites such as Lavafrog, Plenty of Tadpoles and E-Pond.
@Nathan, Hahaha …. You made me laugh 🙂 Creative reply!
My mama always says you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince…. I have a feeling my prince was one of the sacrificial tadpoles!
This made me laugh today. It is funny how most of the frogs are not Princes, eh?
Good one Samantha but don’t give up…the longer you wait for something the more precious it will be. Now get yourself over to the frog pond!!!
haha! The frog pond! That is some nice encouragement!
The comments are just as funny as the facts. Keep it up everyone – it’s nice to read at the end of the day when I’m finished work.
You are so right Bev. I think Samantha should win the “funniest comment so far” award. Her comment was hilarious!
“The Funniest comment so far” award! hahaha! I do agree though, it was pretty funny. There seems to be a few funny folks around here. It sure makes reading the comments fun!
Good Day Natahan it’s been a while since my last comment,
I Remember this frog, it’s kinda give me the goosebumps when I saw this critter
It’s the Surinam Toad.. when I remember Tadpoles nowadays and explore Mars in google Earth, I keep seeing this toad in my mind.
I hope you have time to look for the Toad!
Surinam Toad
Hey Kanjiruminamoto,
Thanks for passing on the name of a one cool toad. Keep your eyes peeled for a Wild Fact on the Surnam Toad.