Wednesday, May 26, 2010

Wild Animal Wednesday! Difference Between Frogs & Toads

Have you ever wondered what differentiates frogs from toads?  There are many similarities between frogs and toads as well as many differences.  Toads are actually in the same order as frogs, but they are in different families and are not considered true frogs. 

  • Frogs have smooth, wet skin that makes them look slimy.  Toads have rough, dry bumpy skin. 
  • Frogs get around by hopping or jumping.  Toads typically walk to get where they are going.
  • Frogs need to live near water, toads do not (except to lay their eggs). 
  • Frogs have lean bodies with long back legs for jumping, toads are short and stout. 
  • When resting frogs heads are usually held high, while toads are usually close to the ground. 
  • Frogs have webbed hind feet for swimming, toads do not because they live on land. 
  • Frogs lay their eggs in clusters in the water, toads lay there eggs in strands or lines on plants that live in the water. 
  • Frogs are part of the Ranidae family and toads are part of the Bufonidae family.
Now, can you tell the difference?  Which of these is a frog and which is a toad? 




Resources include  frog-life-cycle.com & wereyouwondering.com

1 comment:

Unknown said...

May I use your picture of the toad?