Shrieking Tadpoles

Shriek

by Ruby O'Degee

It is decided that most Shrieking Tadpoles never go through metamorphosis. This makes them vulnerable to predators who like their gushy bodies.

Basic Information

Anatomy

Particularly fish who either lost their teeth depend on eating tadpoles. The few tadpoles who turn into bullfrogs are the ones who can shriek the loudest. Like their maternal ancestor they can make a loud 200 decibal sound.

Genetics and Reproduction

Per the Hamlet Chamber of Commerce Fact Collection Board, one maternal ancestor, a wandering pistol shrimp, heard the wailing of frogs after a 32 day rain. The squawking was loud enough to confuse her, so she decided there was no point in finding her own species. She mated with a male frog. Three weeks later a brood of screaming, squawking and blowing bubble eggs were hatched. Since most sef-respecting Hamlet frogs don't appreciate bubble popping noises, they rejected the offspring that became a separate species of tadpoles.
Only one out of 6,326 polywogs make to adulthood. Adult polywogs that look like frogs find a nice frog who can stand the sound of shrieking. This results in a less than bountiful hatching.

Dietary Needs and Habits

Shrieking Tadpoles do not like lettuce, kale or radishes. They do like brocolli, acorn squash topped with butter and brown sugar, and broiled spinach.

Additional Information

Perception and Sensory Capabilities

In most cases a mature Shrieking Tadpole won't require a 200 decible sound be launched unless there is a need to alert owners about trespassers. When they are young the Tadpole's shriek sounds like an fussy baby crying. When Shrieking Tadpoles grow larger, they blow hot bubbles at their predators and pop them intentionally. The explosion sounds like air raid siren. No one wants to hear it. Hamlet residents cover their eardrums and set their fishbowls in neighboring yards.

Scientific Name

macropsbubbleshooter

Origin/Ancestry

by Ruby O'Degee

Shrieking Tadpoles are rare bubble shooters. Hamlet palentologoists determined that a hard of hearing frog mingled with a lonely pistol shrimp.

Conservation Status

Most Hamlet dwellers wished Shrieking Tadpoles were less common, but Hamlet parents found a reason for keeping them in fish bowls. So the Lost Words Animalia Agency decided to protect them.

by Violet (rod)