Nature Notebook

Small ponds will soon become the home for hundreds of newly hatched wood frog tadpoles. They may share this pond with a myriad of aquatic invertebrates. Many of those invertebrates will chow down on the “newborn” frogs. Older tadpoles develop a distasteful toxin in their skin that enhances their chances of survival to adulthood.

Wood frog tadpoles are able to recognize their own species and tend to hang around together in a large group. Biologists think this may be another survival strategy.

However, the competition that results in large groups of feeding tadpoles may backfire on their survival chances … because they eat each other! In laboratory studies, scientists observed larger tadpoles in feeding groups attacking smaller ones. Other tadpoles would then join the initial aggressor to finish off the victim.

The “reason” for the behavior may be that eating a same species meal provides ideal nutrition or perhaps it is to reduce the competition for limited resources.

Join us on a Sarett naturalist-led easy paced, moderate hike and spend time with your friends or make some new ones out on the trails this Saturday, April 12 at 1 p.m. with the Lavender Adventurers Social Hike! This outdoors group is partnered with Outcenter Southwest Michigan for the LGBTQ+ community and their allies. Please call 269-927-4832 x 101 to register; Members/FREE, Non-Members/$5.