Freak of Nature (Update)

Several weeks ago, I posted some pictures of a deformed froglet I have named Snoopy. Just thought I’d post an update. Well, my little, mutant, Ninja froglet is doing just fine and appears to be quite healthy, despite his deformities. He still has not lost his tail, nor is he showing signs that he will do so any time soon. It is all very, very strange indeed. I have bred ADFs commercially for many years and have seen a wide range of deformities, but I have never seen anything quite so strange as Snoopy. All of the other tadpoles I’ve raised to maturity (hundreds, if not thousands, of them over the years) have all lost their tails sometime around the fifth or sixth week of life. Snoopy is nearly four months old now, and his body has matured so that his tail grows out of the middle of his lower back, unlike a normal tadpole’s tail, which grows out of the rear of its butt. Also, Snoopy is still suffering from a severe underbite, but he doesn’t seem to have any problems eating. If anything, this deformity gives him a definite advantage over his siblings. He’s a real little piggy and always manages to eat more than his fair share of the food! (I’m calling Snoopy a “him,” but obviously it’s still too early to determine whether “he” is male or female.) I’m just thrilled that he is doing so well for himself. Nonetheless, I’m being cautiously optimistic about his survival, because deformed froglets seldom live very long; they usually die within a few months after undergoing metamorphosis. Oh well, I guess all I can do is keep my flippers crossed for Snoopy, my cute, little freak of nature. - frogbreeder

 

Aww I want *it*, it is so adorable. It looks like he uses his special attachment as a kick stand He is special like nemo

 

He is a cutey! Sort of looks like a baby alien with his little tail. I love the over-bite... I hope he does well, he seems like a nice size and he is eating well. I guess out of so many thousands of froglets there will always be some who are just different... much nicer word than deformed!!

 

Thanks guys. I must confess that I was a little horrified at first, but now I think he is rather cute, in an odd way. I've become rather attached to Snoopy. I sure hope he survives to adulthood and beyond.

It looks like he uses his special attachment as a kick stand

It's so funny you should say that, because that's exactly what he does. He stands up on his hind legs, leans backwards, and uses his tail to balance himself, as if he's sitting on a bar-stool. He's absolutely hilarious.

. . . he seems like a nice size and he is eating well. I guess out of so many thousands of froglets there will always be some who are just different... much nicer word than deformed!!

He is slightly smaller than his siblings, which is a little surprising considering that he eats more than they do, but he can still hold his own when necessary. Alright, yes, he's just "different." Snoopy, as hagmegsis said, is very "special," just like Nemo.

- frogbreeder

 

Looks very unique. Cool.

 

awww cute little guy. hope he continues to do well.