polliwogs
Baby frogs, essentially
Polliwogs are tadpoles—the aquatic larval stage of frogs and toads, with tails and gills before they develop legs and lungs.
The word is informal and slightly old-fashioned, more likely from a child or grandparent than a biology textbook: We caught polliwogs in the creek.
In naval tradition, a pollywog is a sailor who hasn't yet crossed the equator.
Larval amphibians
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
- tailRear animal appendage
froglet · hatchling · embryo · spawn · eggs · legless · aquatic · transformation
Small still body
- puddleShallow collected rainwater
- streamSteady continuous flow
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- marshGrassy waterlogged lowland
freshwater · algae · aquarium · lily pad · mud · shallow water · ditch · vernal pool
Able to be transmitted
- jarWide-mouthed storage vessel
- bucketOpen-top carrying vessel
- nature walkLeisurely outdoor trek
- curiosityDesire to learn
observation · classroom · life cycle · wonder · discovery · collection · springtime · backyard
Equator-crossing sailor
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- crossing the lineExceeding acceptable boundaries
- equatorMidpoint circle of rotation
- ceremonyFormal event marking occasions
navy · sailor · novice · greenhorn · uninitiated · maritime tradition · Neptune · King Neptune
tadpoles
Larval amphibians
- larvaeImmature metamorphosing creatures
- metamorphosisProfound biological restructuring
- gillsAquatic respiratory organs
tail · froglet · hatchling · embryo · spawn · eggs · legless · aquatic · transformation · juvenile
pond
Small still body
marsh · freshwater · algae · aquarium · lily pad · mud · shallow water · ditch · vernal pool · stagnant water
catching
Able to be transmitted
- jarWide-mouthed storage vessel
- bucketOpen-top carrying vessel
- nature walkLeisurely outdoor trek
curiosity · observation · classroom · life cycle · wonder · discovery · collection · springtime · backyard · exploration
shellback
Equator-crossing sailor
- initiationFormal admission ceremony
- crossing the lineExceeding acceptable boundaries
- equatorMidpoint circle of rotation
ceremony · navy · sailor · novice · greenhorn · uninitiated · maritime tradition · Neptune · King Neptune · hazing
- juvenile reptiles and amphibianstadpoles, hatchlings, froglets, efts