From water to air?

[oharakf]

Hi I'm just watching my T. vulgaris tadpoles. They are starting to spend a lot of time just beneath the surface.

I was wondering do they go through a stage of being aquatic and air breathing before they emerge on to land?

thanks

 

[Azhael]

Yes, the lungs develop before the gills are reabsorved. For some time they will acquire oxygen through their gills, their lungs and their skin. Neotenic animals will retain all three organs, normal metamorphs will eventually loose the gills and depend on their lungs and skin.

 

[oharakf]

Great, I presume its a sign they should start making their way onto the land soon.