It’s an age-old question, which has baffled many - what ‘s the difference between frogs and toads? Hopefully, at the end of reading this, you will be an expert.The major similarity between a frog and a toad is that they are both amphibians, but they are many differences and we have listed them, so should one hop into your garden, you can easily identify it.The Differences Between Frogs And Toads The main differences between frogs and toads are that frogs have long legs, that are longer than their head and body, which are made for hopping. Toads, on the other hand, have much shorter legs which they use to crawl around rather than hop. There are also differences in their skins; frogs have smooth and somewhat slimy skin, whereas toads have dry and warty skin. Froggy FactsFrogs are smooth with moist skin, which looks slimy and rubbery.They have a narrow body and higher, rounder, bulgier eyes.They spend most of their lives in or close to water.Frogs have special glands to keep their skin moist. This helps them to ‘breathe’ through their skin as well as their lungs so that they can stay underwater for longer.The common UK frog comes in shades of; green, yellow or brown, but can adapt their colour depending on their surrounding.Frogs have a distinct brown patch behind their eye.They have long hind legs and leap in higher, springy leaps.In spring, frogs lay their spawn in clumps, you will see this is any large pond.Fun Frog FactsThe world’s largest frogA cane toad, from Central America, can grow as big as a dinner plate! The average is 15 cm.The world’s smallest frogNow, this isn’t easy to say, it’s the Paedophryne Amauensis, from Papua New Guinea and is a tiny 7.7 mm.Famous FrogsKermit from “The Muppet Show.“Jeremy Fisher created by Beatrix Potter.Toady FactsToads don’t need to live near water to survive, they spend more of their time on land.They have a wider body and lower football-shaped eyes.They have a dry, warty skin which means they can’t “breathe” through their skin as well as frogs, but they can survive on land in drier places.They are generally grey-brown In colour.Toads lay double row strings of eggs.Toads have shorter, less powerful hind legs and take smaller hops rather than long jumps, like a frog.They don’t have many predators. UK ToadsThe most common is just called the “common” toad.Natterjack Toads are also found in the UK, but rare and fully protected by law. They have a yellow stripe down their back, they run quite fast and lay a long, single row, strings of eggs.Toads-vs-FrogsToads are actually a classification of frog.In a nutshell, frogs have moist smooth skin, while toads have dry bumpy skin - this is usually the easiest way to tell them apart.To tell the difference between a frog and toad; look at their hind legs, a frog’s are longer and bigger than their head and body, while toads are much smaller.Both frogs and toads eat beetles, bugs and woodlice and they are a gardener’s friend as they eat slugs and snails, whereas toads prefer ants and slightly larger prey.Don’t be surprised if you find a frog or toad sitting in your greenhouse. They are drawn to the warm, moist conditions and will live there quite happily, eating the insects.Neither frogs nor toads will give you warts if you handle them! That’s just a myth.Fun Toad FactsToad’s skin lets’s out a bitter-taste and smell that burns the eyes and nostrils of its predators, just like a skunk does.Can toads eat frogs? The answer is “yes”, but only if they are very young. They can even eat larger prey like newts and even small mice!Famous ToadsThe most famous has to be self-centred, arrogant Mr.Toad from the novel “Wind in the Willows”.Baron Greenback from the cartoon Danger Mouse.Conservation Each spring, toads migrate in large groups and over distances of a kilometre and return to their pond to breed. During this time, toads are vulnerable when crossing roads, sadly many are killed by cars.If you see a toad crossing the road and it is safe to do so, please help it by carefully carrying it across the road or make a “Toad Crossing” sign.
It’s an age-old question, which has baffled many - what ‘s the difference between frogs and toads? Hopefully, at the end of reading this, you will be an expert.
