Frogs and toads, while often confused, represent distinct groups within the amphibian order Anura. Both are tailless amphibians, yet they exhibit a range of differences in their physical characteristics, preferred habitats, and behaviors.
Key Physical Distinctions
One of the most noticeable differences between frogs and toads is their skin. Frogs typically possess smooth, moist, and often slimy skin, which allows them to absorb water and oxygen directly. This skin texture is adapted for aquatic or very moist environments. In contrast, toads generally have thicker, drier, and bumpy or warty skin, which helps them retain moisture and is suited for drier, more terrestrial conditions.
Body shape and leg structure also differ. Frogs tend to have slender, athletic bodies with long, powerful hind legs designed for leaping and swimming, enabling impressive jumps. Toads, conversely, typically have stout, wider bodies and shorter, stubbier hind legs better suited for walking or short hops. Many frogs also have webbed feet, particularly on their hind limbs, aiding aquatic movement, whereas most toads lack extensive webbing.
Frogs often have large, bulging eyes positioned on top of their heads, providing a wide field of vision, including panoramic and peripheral views. This eye placement helps them spot predators and prey while submerged. Toads generally have less prominent eyes that sit closer to their heads, and some species exhibit horizontal pupils. A key distinction lies in their dentition: most true frogs possess small teeth on their upper jaw (vomerine teeth) to grip prey, while true toads are entirely toothless.
Habitat and Lifestyle Differences
Frogs typically require constant access to water due to their permeable, moisture-dependent skin. They are often found in or very near ponds, lakes, streams, and other aquatic environments. Their strong legs and webbed feet facilitate efficient swimming and allow them to quickly escape into water when threatened.
Toads, with their thicker, drier skin, are more tolerant of drier conditions and can venture further from water sources. They are commonly found in gardens, forests, fields, and even suburban yards. Their movement reflects their terrestrial lifestyle; instead of long leaps, toads often walk or make short, crawling hops. When approached, a toad might sit still or make short jumps, while a frog is more likely to use its powerful legs to quickly leap into water.
Both frogs and toads are primarily nocturnal carnivores, hunting insects and other small invertebrates. Their diet can include flies, beetles, worms, slugs, and spiders. While adult frogs and toads are meat-eaters, their tadpoles are typically herbivores, feeding on plant material like algae.
Beyond the Basics: Common Questions
A common misconception is that touching a toad can cause warts on humans. This is a myth; warts on humans are caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV), not by contact with amphibians. The bumpy appearance of a toad’s skin, which led to this belief, is due to glands. Some toads, especially “true toads” (family Bufonidae), have specialized parotoid glands behind their eyes that secrete a milky, toxic substance called bufotoxin. This toxin acts as a defense mechanism against predators. Washing hands after handling a toad is advisable.
From a scientific classification perspective, all toads are technically a type of frog, as both belong to the order Anura (“without a tail”). The term “toad” typically refers to members of the family Bufonidae, often called “true toads.” Other frog species belong to various different families.