How do tadpoles breathe underwater?

During the tadpole stage of the amphibian life cycle, most respire by means of autonomous external or internal gills. They do not usually have arms or legs until the transition to adulthood, and typically have a large, flattened tail with which they swim by lateral undulation, similar to most fish. read more

Tadpoles breathe through the gills by moving their throat through regular rhythmic movements, known as pulsing. They can also breathe through lungs, according to Natural History. When they metamorphose into frogs, they eventually lose their gills and start breathing through the lungs or through the skin. read more

How to Watch Tadpoles Breathe: Step 1: Look in shallow ponds for tadpoles. Catch one good-sized tadpole and put it in a clear plastic cup of pond water. read more

Frog larvae, or tadpoles, breathe through external gills when under water. The gills, like the adult frog’s skin, absorb oxygen from the water and excrete carbon dioxide. However, as tadpoles mature into adults, their bodies absorb the gills and turn them into internal organs. read more