The Difference Between Toads and Frogs

Frogs and toads are usually mistaken for each other because of their similar appearances and because they come from the same amphibian family. Toads are actually frogs. So how can we tell them apart? Listed below are some of their distinguishing traits.

In appearance, the frog has smooth and moist skin while the toad has the opposite, rough, dry, and warty. The frog's skin has glands that produce a kind of slimy mucous that is highly useful when escaping captors or predators. The toad's skin, like the frog, also secretes fluids that protect them from predators. In color, frogs vary while toads are commonly more of browns and grays.

The frog has a narrower head and body than that of a toad. They also have longer hind legs that are excellent for hopping and they have webbed back feet for swimming. Toads have shorter limbs, stouter bodies, and broader heads. Because of their heavier build, toads do not jump as high as frogs and they actually walk around instead.

A frog's eyes are protuberant and periscope like which enables the frog to see even when its body is submerged in the water. The toad's eyes are recessed and they have bony ridges on top of their heads. Frogs also have teeth, located along the edges of the upper jaw and on the palate. The teeth are more for holding the food as they are inadequate for chewing. Toads do not possess teeth.

Because of their thin and unprotected skin, which must be kept moist all the time, frogs are more restricted to living near or in damp areas and in fresh water. The toad does not share this condition and mostly live on land and other dry areas. They spend little time in the water compared to frogs. Toads can be commonly found in people's gardens and are valuable allies in controlling the insect pest population.

Both frogs and toads lay their eggs in the water. Frog eggs are in lumps or groups surrounded by a jelly like substance as its protection while toad eggs are laid in strings and are wrapped around water plants. Both their young go through the same tadpole stages, although in appearance, toad tadpoles start out smaller and darker than frog tadpoles. One type of toad that is found in Tanzania, called the nectophrynoides, can actually bear their young live like mammals. No frog can do this.