When frogs and toads breed, do they all lay eggs which become tadpoles? I have tons of frog and toads in my yard and there is no lake here at all. If all frogs and toads were once tadpoles then when they breed in my yard,where do they swim? Hope this makes since.
Thanks!
Quick answer: The toads and frogs you see in your yard were probably born some distance away from your yard.
Lke others have answered, many of the most common species of frogs and toads need water to breed.
Most exploit habitats with still water (permanent or temporary natural pools, and even swimming pools if the water is not chlorinated!), others breed in fast-running creeks and brooks, but there’s a whole variety that use different breeding strategies, including building little mud "domes" where they lay their eggs, or leaf "cones" that keep the eggs hanging above water bodies until they hatch and fall to the water… yet many others breed away from the water, keeping their young in their vocal sacs, on their backs (attached or in a pouch), and bypassing the swimming tadpole stage.
Thus, not all species breed according to the textbook version. However, the ones you have in your yard probably do, and all this information doesn’t help you to understand where they come from.
During the spring, or when conditions are favorable, frogs and toads migrate to waterbodies to spawn. The males go first, and start calling to establish their territories and attract the females. After they have released the eggs and fertilized them, they return to their usual dwellings. Later, when the tadpoles turn into froglets, they leave the water in huge numbers. These little froglets will take some years to mature sexually (if they survive), and at some point during that time they will find your yard.
If you want to know where they are breeding, pay attention to their calls during the reproductive season, and follow your ears.
You will need a flashlight and rubber boots, but it can be fun 
October 23rd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
Not all frogs have tadpoles. I can’t remember the species that has babies that just come out as small frogs. Many species of frogs and toads need no more than raindrops in a plant in order to hatch the eggs. I think many species need no water at all, just very damp soil.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 8:22 pm
There are some tropical species where the tadpole development stage takes place in the egg.
Most, however, have a tadpole stage that requires water. It doesn’t need to be a lake, some species breed in tiny ponds. They can also travel quite some distance.
Chances are that there is some suitable breeding site , perhaps within a mile or so of your house, that produces amphibians.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 8:35 pm
Frogs/Toads are amphibians, meaning that they need water to survive. Also meaning, that they lay eggs, verse giving live birth. Even the smallest water source: puddle, bucket of water, ect. could possibly help a frog/toad survive, and, lay the eggs! If you would like to help these little creatures, I would recommend that you set a bucket of water out, or, even a few buckets of water out, for the frogs/toads, so that they can lay their eggs! They lay their eggs in around March to July, and they will need that water during that whole time, so, I would recommend that you use that! Also, fill the water with distilled water, since, tap water is hard on their skin. But, once you have filled it once with distilled water, the rain and other things will keep it pretty natural! I hope that this answers your question! If you have any other questions, please, feel free to email me at: pethelper4@yahoo.com! Thanks again, and, good luck,
~ Future Vet
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October 23rd, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Frogs won’t lay eggs in buckets- but mosquitos will.
Sorry, Future vet.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
All frogs lay eggs but not all frogs hatch out as tadpoles some frogs (none of which live in N. America) like the darwin frog keep the eggs in a pouch in its throat until it coughs up little froglets. but some frogs and toads lay their eggs after heavy rains in puddles, like the spade foot toad.
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October 23rd, 2009 at 9:57 pm
Quick answer: The toads and frogs you see in your yard were probably born some distance away from your yard.
Lke others have answered, many of the most common species of frogs and toads need water to breed.
Most exploit habitats with still water (permanent or temporary natural pools, and even swimming pools if the water is not chlorinated!), others breed in fast-running creeks and brooks, but there’s a whole variety that use different breeding strategies, including building little mud "domes" where they lay their eggs, or leaf "cones" that keep the eggs hanging above water bodies until they hatch and fall to the water… yet many others breed away from the water, keeping their young in their vocal sacs, on their backs (attached or in a pouch), and bypassing the swimming tadpole stage.
Thus, not all species breed according to the textbook version. However, the ones you have in your yard probably do, and all this information doesn’t help you to understand where they come from.
During the spring, or when conditions are favorable, frogs and toads migrate to waterbodies to spawn. The males go first, and start calling to establish their territories and attract the females. After they have released the eggs and fertilized them, they return to their usual dwellings. Later, when the tadpoles turn into froglets, they leave the water in huge numbers. These little froglets will take some years to mature sexually (if they survive), and at some point during that time they will find your yard.
If you want to know where they are breeding, pay attention to their calls during the reproductive season, and follow your ears.
You will need a flashlight and rubber boots, but it can be fun
References :