Do You Know How Frogs and Toads Differ?

Do you really know how frogs and toads differ? They're actually quite a lot more alike than different.

Toads and frogs are amphibians. This simply means that they can survive in water and out of it as well. Their backbone classifies them as vertebrates and of the same class as the salamanders. However, they look different from their long-tailed and sleek cousins since they are less sleek and more stumpy plus have lost their tails, earning them the name “anura” in Greek, which means tail-less.

Both frogs and toads have the same life cycle. Born as eggs, they hatch into little larvae known as tadpoles and grow to maturity under water. After they develop into froglets, they then have the ability to live either in the water or on the land. As people with bodies of water near them are aware, they both have vocal cords that allow them to make calls in and out of water. This is very important as they both breed and lay eggs in the water.

But frogs and toads are differently built. For example, you can usually tell them apart by their skin. Frogs are smoother and usually quite moist, perfect for staying in the water most of the time. Toads have dry and bumpy (or warty!) skin that allows them to travel a distance away from water.

Toads simply look for a body of water to lay their eggs in as they have a really bad taste because of the toxins they are full of. You'll know the toad eggs since they're in long chain-like forms. Frogs look for water without fish since frog eggs are a favorite food of theirs. These eggs are usually in rounded blobs.

Frogs are the champion jumpers and swimmers with their longer bodies and extra-long hind legs. Toads prefer a slow stroll and a hop, so their short bodies are rounder with stumpy legs.

This is why the toads have developed poison glands found near their eyes. They are much slower and need a little more protection. Unfortunately, any animal that thinks a toad would be a good snack would be in for a nasty surprise and may foam at the mouth or even die from the poison.

Frogs can escape much more quickly so they have less poison in their bodies. They have a poison in their skin which is more developed in some frogs than others, like the Brazilian tree frog which is used to give the Amazon hunters' dart guns more of a kick. That's why people are advised to wash their hands after touching frogs and toads since their mucus membranes can get badly irritated if they are touched.

Frogs have a more highly developed “ear” at the side of their head. It's covered with a thin piece of skin called a “tympanum” and allows them to hear noises both on land and underwater. Toads have a less developed pair of “ears” that are quite a bit smaller.

Toads are mostly left alone. Their eyes are recessed since they are usually the predators of smaller animals, not the food. Frogs, however, are delicious to more than one species and have since developed eyes that are bulging which allow them to see in almost all directions at once to escape their predators.

There is no way, finally that toads can cause warts and frogs can't. Warts come from a virus which toads don't have.


Jamie Highland writes about events like baby showers and food topics. To check out some frog baby shower theme supplies or other baby shower themes, visit My Baby Shower Favors. If you want more articles, visit our site and click on the Contact Us link.