Diamond the Tadpole

A month ago Lauren brought home a tadpole from her co-op biology class. She decided it was a girl and named her Diamond because it looked like the markings on the tadpole were diamonds. We have really enjoyed watching the metamorphosis of growing from a tadpole to a frog. Today, the tail is now a tiny stub, and Diamond was hopping pretty high--enough to possibly jump out of her container--so we decided to release her into our backyard pond. This was very emotional for Lauren. She was sad and teary, but insisted she be the one to do the releasing. I think Diamond is going to have a great life in the pond! Take a look at the pictures we took of her transformation, and then the video is of the releasing. I know it's kind of long, but you'll see her hopping, and at the end you'll see her swimming in the pond.

Lauren bringing Diamond home.

Definitely doesn't look like a frog right now--more like a fish.

Close up of her face.

We bought a shoe box for her to live in. Adding some rocks from our pond.

Swimming around in her new home.

We went on a week of vacation and some friends watched her for us. When we left Diamond had her back legs. When we returned, she had her front legs!

Still has a tail.

Look at that face. Eyes higher up on head, wide mouth.

Tail is pretty much gone now. Time to release her.

Lauren carrying her to the pond.