Frog eggs hatch into tadpoles that live in water, where they face dangers from predators. Over about 5 weeks, tadpoles grow hind legs and lungs as they transform into small frogs. Once fully developed after 11 weeks, the frogs emerge from the water with legs and lungs and can live on land, where they eat insects and eventually find mates to reproduce and start the life cycle again.

2. Today we are
going to look at
the life cycle of
a frog. This
picture shows
the different
stages of
development.
Let’s have a closer look.

3. Frog Spawn
Frogs lay their eggs in
water or wet places.
A floating clump of eggs
is called frog spawn.
This large and slippery
mass of eggs is too big to
be eaten.
This is nature's way of
protecting them.

4. Tadpole
The tadpole has a long tail,
and lives in the water.
It must rely on its
camouflage to protect it.
The tadpoles also face
danger by being eaten by
other water animals.
Sometimes a pond dries up
and the tadpoles die.

5. Getting bigger
After about five weeks the tadpole
begins to change.
It starts to grow hind legs. Behind its
head, bulges appear where the front
legs are growing and its tail becomes
smaller.
Lungs begin to develop, preparing the
frog for its life on land.
Froglet

6. A young frog
Over time, the tadpole becomes even more froglike. It has
shed its skin and lips. Its mouth widens, and it loses its
horny jaws. The tail becomes much smaller, and the legs
grow. Its lungs begin to work.

7. An adult frog
Eleven weeks after the egg was laid, a fully developed frog with
lungs, legs, and no tail emerges from the water.
This frog will live mostly on land, with occasional swims. The
tiny frogs begin to eat insects and worms.
Eventually, it will find a mate. The female lays the eggs, the
male fertilizes them, and the whole process begins again.

8. Let’s have one last look at the
life cycle of a frog.

9. Animations available from
www.animationfactory.com
www.communication4all.co.uk

10. Animations available from
www.animationfactory.com
www.communication4all.co.uk