Eastern Grey Tree frog question

[froggosselin]

I'm new here, but the frog care sheet has given me lots of info on the care of my new charges! I "rescued" 16 tadpoles from the pool cover this spring (Memorial Day weekend) which turned out to be Grey Tree frogs (believe these are Hyla versicolor, as I have these in my yard). Several (5) have become froglets, several in transition and there are a few that have yet to even get hind leg buds; which leads to my question. Is it possible for a few tadpoles to "get stuck" and never change?

[John]

Neoteny is virtually unheard of in frogs. It is possible that some tadpoles will never metamorphose, but they will usually slowly fade away and die eventually.

[froggosselin]

Thank you very much, I'll keep the tadpole tank going as long as I can. I hope they all morph!

I was going to keep the froglets, but between my two jobs, I'm not sure I'll have the time to devote to them, is it ok to release them back woods at the back of my property? I think now that the tails on a few are almost gone, now would be a good time. Would night fall be the best time?

[John]

Releasing them should be alright since you don't keep other frogs that might have passed diseases on to them. Bear in mind that some states have laws against collecting and then releasing animals. I am not sure what MA's stance is.

Don't release them until they have resorbed their tails - these frogs will not leave the water while the still have a noticeable tail. These guys are active during the day at this age, so it's up to you, but I would say night time would give them a better chance to find refuge from the heat of the day.

[froggosselin]

Thanks again, John. The few that I might release have left the water and stay mostly on the walls or hidden under the lid near the top of the tank.

I just had another tad sprout four legs today, and I have a three-legger in the tadpole tank.

Where would I find information on release laws?

[froggosselin]

Another question, if I might, would it be best for me to be sure they are feeding before I release? I see in the care sheet that until they completely morph they don't eat, would it be best to wait till they take some fruit flies (cultured from Josh's Frogs)?

[John]

Sorry, I can't help you with the local laws. I wouldn't worry about feeding them, provided you don't hold on to them for more than a day after the tail is completely gone.

[Kurt]

Like John said releasing them shouldn't be a problem for you, if you haven't been keeping non-native frogs as well. If you have pet frogs then that would be a very different story. For laws about keeping amphibians in the Commonwealth you can go to http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/ or for a simplified version http://www.neherp.com.