Tadpole Identification?

[kristiefeq]

Hi there everyone!

I'm new to the site, upon searching the net to figure the species of my tadpole I came across this site, and it seems to be still active, which is great! I was wondering if anyone can help me out with identifying my tadpoles?

I've always raised toad tadpoles, and the occasional frog but have never seen a tadpole like this before, it's so huge compared to what I'm used to! The tadpoles I'm used to raising are about the size of my thumbnail, and these I have now stretch across the palm of my hand.

I'm not familiar with the different species names etc... but am very curious upon finding this new batch. I've also never seen tadpoles around at this time of year where I live, they are usually not due to see until another week or two, perhaps three.

Anyway I took some pictures earlier today, the best that I could provide. I tried to take pictures of their underbelly but I was too scared to hurt them, and they kept wiggling their way back on their bellies.

Also I live in the lower north shore of Quebec, Canada. If that helps any! :P





Anyway here are some pictures!
Thanks for all your help, and I'm excited to find anything out!

[kristiefeq]

Sorry about the wrong date! :P Every time I change my batteries, it resets! Also if more pictures need to be provided please let me know. My mother has a much better camera than I do, if you need to see better close ups/details.

[UncleChester]

Frogs of Quebec- http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...48340889,d.aWc

It looks like a Rana clamitans. A bullfrog would also be possible but it looks like it has the beginings of the dorso-lateral folds, the little ridges running down the sides of the back, which would rule out bullfrog. Given the stage it's in, you should know one way or another pretty soon as these folds are typically pretty obviously present or absent by the time it crawls onto land. Both species will spend over a year as a tadpole so you will find large tads like this early in the year.

A mink frog may be another candidate, I've little experience with them as tadpoles, but as adults they are very similar to green and bullforgs.

Checking the area you found it in for adult frogs can also be handy for ID of tadpoles.

[kristiefeq]

Thank you very much for the reply!

I unfortunately can't go to the place where I got them very often, (I don't drive):P. But I do have some pictures of a frog from a year ago that I caught in a different pond. Though I've had these in their tadpole stage before, as well shortly after that stage, and they were still smaller, or the same size(after tadpole stage) as the new tadpoles I have now.


I absolutely love the first one! XD

and just for fun/reference, here are some toad tadpoles before/after I had before,, and normally the frog tadpoles I get are the same size.