Friends of Kootenay Blog

Access stories and photos about the natural and human history of Kootenay National Park and Columbia Valley Includes highlights about the Friends of Kootenay National Park activities and programs.

 

Frog Eggs

Posted: May 1, 2013
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Columbia Spotted Frog egg masses, May 1, 2013, by Larry Halverson

 

These eggs were photographed in the Kootenay National Park through a thin layer of ice. The water temperature was right around 0 degrees C.


Each egg has a narrow layer of jelly and is densely packed into egg masses. The egg masses are deposited in open water, usually in shallow areas near the shoreline. Depending on water temperature, the eggs will hatch tadpoles in 10 - 21 days. Columbia spotted frogs remain as tadpoles for 2 - 3 months before undergoing metamorphosis into adult frogs.