tadpole

/tad"pohl/, n.

the aquatic larva or immature form of frogs and toads, esp. after the development of the internal gills and before the appearance of the forelimbs and the resorption of the tail.

[1400-50; late ME tad(de)pol, equiv. to tad(de) TOAD + pol POLL¹ (head)]

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or polliwog

Aquatic larval stage of frogs and toads.

Tadpoles have a short, oval body, broad tail, small mouth, and no external gills. Most are herbivorous, but those of some species are predatory or even cannibalistic. Tadpole metamorphosis follows a pattern of gradual development of forelimbs and hind limbs, resorption of the tail, shortening of the intestine, disappearance of the gills, and development of the lungs. On completion of metamorphosis, the young frog or toad emerges onto land.

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▪ zoology

also called  polliwog 

      aquatic larval stage of frogs (frog) and toads (toad). Compared with the larvae of salamanders, tadpoles have short, oval bodies, with broad tails, small mouths, and no external gills. The internal gills are concealed by a covering known as an operculum.

      Most tadpoles are vegetarians, although those of a few species are carnivorous or even cannibalistic. Tadpole metamorphosis follows a pattern of gradual development of forelimbs and hind limbs, resorption of the tail, shortening of the intestine, disappearance of the gills, and development of lungs. Upon completion of metamorphosis, the tadpole emerges onto land as a young froglet or toadlet. The tadpole stage can be as short as two weeks or as long as three years. For most species the tadpole stage lasts from one to three months.

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