The key difference between frogs and toads is that the frogs have long legs and smooth skins covered in mucus while the toads have shorter legs and rougher, thicker skins.
Frogs and toads are both amphibians in the order Anura and are alike looking creatures. Therefore, making the distinction between frogs and toads is always confusing to many of us. We know they are a shade of green and brown, but that can’t be the basis of their distinction. However, this article will guide you through in identifying the difference between frogs and toads.
CONTENTS
1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What are Frogs
3. What are Toads
4. Similarities Between Frogs and Toads
5. Side by Side Comparison – Frogs vs Toads in Tabular Form
6. Summary
What are Frogs?
We can distinguish frogs by their webbed feet and eyes sticking out. These are creatures that can jump a certain height as a defence mechanism and also catch their prey. There long legs that extend to provide them with a spring-like or lever like form, provide them with a large height.
Figure 01: Frog
Frogs can be seen in numerous quantities at swamps or near a water body since their permeable skin allows them to remain near water. They are popular for making a distinguishing call, which increases against the dark of the night or during their mating season. Further, looking at their reproduction, they lay eggs in the water body, where the eggs develop into tadpoles. The tadpoles live in the waterbody until maturation as they cannot live on dry land until they reach a certain maturity.
What are Toads?
Toads are amphibians with a scaled texture much like a snake’s. They are generally brown in colour and present in abundance in dry areas. Thus, this texture and colour provide toads the camouflage to remain safe in the dry areas. These are for protection against a predator or when the toads have to catch their prey.
Figure 02: Toad
Moreover, toads have elongated legs that provide the ability for them to cover heights and travel distances. Furthermore, the toads have eyes that do not protrude out as the frogs do. Also, some toads are poisonous.
What are the Similarities Between Frogs and Toads?
- They are amphibians.
- Both belong to order Anura.
- Their kingdom is Animalia.
- They lay eggs.
- Both can live in both water and land.
What is the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?
There is no easy way to tell the difference between frogs and toads. However, experts tell that the distinction lies in the texture of the skin. Where frogs are said to have a smooth covering, the toads have a leather-like texture. This is one reason that when a frog is taken out of the water and touched because the water glides on the skin, the feeling is generally slimy. Though both have long legs, compared to the frogs’, the toads have shorter legs that are more muscular than being called stubby. Another important difference between frogs and toads lies in the eye region. Where a frog has protruding eye sockets, a toad has eyes that do not protrude out as much.
Summary – Frogs vs Toads
For a layman, the distinction will still remain a problem as the two have more characteristics in common than their differences. It is important to note that if a ”frog-like” amphibian is present in a dry area, it is most likely that it is a toad. Another difference between frogs and toads is the regions that the two cover.
Reference:
1.“FROGS vs. TOADS.” Worksheets for Kids. Available here
2.Howell, Elizabeth. “What’s The Difference Between a Frog and a Toad?” LiveScience, Purch, 20 Feb. 2013. Available here
Image Courtesy:
1.”2525109″ by Gellinger (CC0) via pixabay
2.”Toad” by Axel Kuhlmann (CC0) via PublicDomainPictures.net