The tadpoles of the red-eyed tree
frog can choose to hatch early to
avoid being eaten by snakes, says
Karen Warkentin from the
University of Texas in Austin (New
Scientist. Vol 146, No 1974).
The eggs hatch in a matter of
minutes and can do so when they are
5-7 days old. Warkentin claims that
early hatching is more than just a
general response to mechanical disturtbances. A mere touching the eggs
had no effect but if a pair of forceps
is moved into the jetty in which frog
eggs are embedded - the movement simulates a snake attack - the
eggs hatch quickly.
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