Tadpole metamorphosis. Shoal of tadpoles at different stages of development. At top right, the early limb bud of a young tadpole is seen; tad- poles with developed hindlimbs, about two months old, are at centre left; a young frog with tail is seen at lower right. In European frogs, tadpole development lasts two to three months; this time interval is subject to variation depending on the individual species and on water temperature and food supply.