A tadpole or polliwog (also pollywog, polliwig, polewig, or polwig)'s the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian, particularly of an anuran. General description Tadpoles are young amphibians that live in the water. During the tadpole stage of the amphibian life cycle, most respire by means of autonomous external or internal gills. They don't usually have arms or legs until the transition to adulthood, and typically have dorsal or fin-like appendages and a tail with whi… (More on Tadpole)