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toad tadpoles

22 14:08:27

Question
A toad layed eggs in my wading pool that I use to water my horses.  The eggs hatched into tadpoles and there's dozens of them.  They're 2 - 3 weeks old now and the pool is getting really scummy.  I'd like to relocate the babies.  I don't have a pond, but I do have a creek.  I'm afraid if I put them in there they will get washed away.  Any suggestions?

Answer
Hi Connie, There will be losses on re-location but that is natural. Your protected environment has already given them a survival advantage with its lack of natural predators and the algae as food source. A much higher number probably hatched out successfully then would have otherwise.
Your options are,  if you can hold on a bit longer then will probably start to morph into toadlets in the very near future and then the release problem is over. They don't stay as tadpoles for long as this is a very vulnerable stage for them.
They feed on algae and such that forms around aquatic plants and shelter in the plants as well. If there is a part of the creek that is somewhat shallow, and slower moving with some vegetation that would be the best spot for release.