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  you are in: ADVICE > FAQs > SPAWN AND TADPOLES > DISAPPEARED



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Frequently Asked Questions about...

Spawn and tadpoles

Spawn/tadpoles have disappeared.

Quick answer
Common causes of disappearing spawn/ tadpoles are predators and cold weather.

Further information
Spawn and tadpoles require warmth and light to develop properly. If they have disappeared it may be because they've died. Late frosts or a shady pond could be responsible for this. Sometimes spawn sinks out of sight but still develops normally.

The most common cause of disappearing spawn/tadpoles in the numerous predators in and out of the pond. These include fish, newts, water boatmen, dragonfly larvae, birds, rats, foxes and hedgehogs.

A disappearance could also just mean they have just moved on to the next stage - if there is no spawn, it may have hatched, if there are no tadpoles, they may have metamorphosed into froglets.

More on...

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Spawn/tadpoles are being preyed on.
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Protecting spawn from frost.
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Just Add Water - your guide to creating and maintaining the perfect pond.