137 



Eggs of Frogs, Toads and Salamanders. 



Toads, frogs and salamanders (water dogs, mud-puppies) 

 lay their eggs in water. Here the eggs hatch out into tadpoles. 

 In the tadpole stage they breathe by means of gills, at least in 

 the earlier part of this stage. Later they gradually develop 

 lungs and finally become air breathers. The toad and frog tad- 

 poles gradually lose their tails by absorbing them, while a 



Fig. 79. The tiger salamander. 



salamander tadpole's tail develops to a considerable size and is 

 retained thru life as a swimming organ to be used when the 

 animal goes to water. One of the most common salamanders in 

 California, is the red-bellied salamander which is found in great 

 numbers in the ponds and streams in winter during the egg lay- 

 ing season. The spotted tiger salamander, fig. 79, is also to be 

 found. Any of the salamanders may be kept in a box, the bot- 

 tom of which is covered with moist earth in which ferns or moss 

 is growing. In winter the red-bellied salamander does well in 

 the aquarium, or any vessel of water. It should be well fed with 

 earth worms. 



The eggs of toads, frogs and salamanders should be gathered 

 and placed in the aquaria and their development watched. The 



