Varadero tadpoles metamorphosing

[John]

Yes, the colors are starting to come through now, definitely - the blue on the legs is more noticeable. The front right arm is bigger too. They take a while to metamorphose. He will probably pop the legs in the next 48 hours, then it'll be 4 more days or so I think.

[Kurt]

Very cool.

[John]

Now, 24 hours later:



There are quite a few subtle differences, such as the coloration on the legs becoming bolder, the body coloration becoming more clearly defined, the bulge around the right front leg is larger and the eyes are starting to bulge out (compare to previous photo).

[John]

2 days later (today) - click the photo for a larger version:



The arms broke through the skin in the last 18 hours or so and the froglet is breathing air. The colors are much better defined and the froglet is developing the classic 2-piece "mustache" characteristic of the species (though the froglet's mother lacks these markings).

[Kurt]

Its amazing that the color is so defined and vivid at this stage of development. Red-eyes at this stage are brown and drab.

[Jace]

The colouring is absolutely amazing. How long until you know about SLS? Is there any way to treat it if the froglet does have it?

[Ebony]

Looks beautiful John. I would also like to know about Jace's questions.