A tadpole (also known as a pollywog, poliwag or polliwog) is the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian. Description During the tadpole stage of the amphibian life cycle, most breathe 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 which they swim by lateral undulation, similar to most fish. As tadpoles mature, they most commonly me… (More on Tadpole)