Difference Between Frog and Toad, Morphology and Characteristics
Difference Between Frog and Toad is that frogs have long legs for hopping, while toads have short legs for crawling. Frogs have smooth, somewhat slimy skin, while toads have dry, warty skin.
Krati Saraswat23 May, 2025
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Difference Between Frog and Toad: Amphibians are animals that live both on land and in water. This is known as a dual life, and it began around 397 million years ago during the Devonian period. Frogs and toads are both amphibians, and they share some similarities and differences.
It is important to be able to difference between frog and toad, as the terms are often used interchangeably. Despite their shared body structure and jumping abilities, frogs and toads have distinct characteristics. Both belong to the Anura order, which is a group of carnivorous amphibians. They require a moist environment, and they breathe and absorb water through their thin skin. This shows their dependence on both land and water. Other amphibians, such as salamanders, blindworms, and newts, also share this dual habitat. They all have specialized glands that produce beneficial proteins. Some key difference between frog and toad are provided in the article below.| NEET Biology Syllabus | NEET Biology Diagrams |
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Difference Between Frog and Toad Overview
Toads and frogs, both belonging to the amphibian group, share common traits despite their differences. Specifically, toads fall under the broader category of frogs, making them a type of frog. Toads are often spotted on land, especially in yards and gardens, while frogs typically reside in aquatic environments. Another key distinction is that frogs generally have moist, slimy skin, whereas toads have rough, dry skin. Notably, toad eggs are commonly arranged in a chain-like structure, unlike frog eggs, which usually form a mass. It's important to clarify that toads do not transmit warts to humans, dispelling a common misconception. The article below provides a thorough explanation of the difference between frog and toad.
Difference Between Frog and Toad
Frogs range in size from 10 mm to 300 mm. Their skin may be smooth, moist, and loosely attached to their bodies, or it may be warty. Many aquatic frogs have webbed toes and some produce mild toxins to deter predators. In contrast, toads typically have dry, warty skin, a shorter, stocky body, and muscular legs. Frogs generally have longer legs than toads, and their eyes are often more protuberant. The table below summarizes the general characteristics and difference between frog and toad. Still, it is important to note that there are exceptions to these generalisations due to the diversity of species within each category.| Difference Between Frog and Toad | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aspect | Frog | Toad |
| Eggs | Laid in clusters | Laid in elongated chains |
| Tadpoles | Slim and gold in color | Chunky and black in color |
| Locomotion | Rarely crawls | Primarily moves by crawling |
| Appearance | Lean and slender | Stubby and shorter in comparison |
| Skin Texture | Smooth and moist | Drier and bumpy |
| Habitat | Inhabit or dwell near water | More adapted to thriving on dry land |
| Webbed Feet | Possess webbed feet for semi-aquatic life | Generally lack webbed feet |
| Legs | Longer legs for higher and farther jumps | Shorter legs, enabling jumps but not as high as frogs |
Frog
Frogs belong to the Ranidae family and are found in a variety of subspecies throughout the world, with the exception of Antarctica. While frogs and toads may appear similar from a distance, there are several important distinctions. Frogs have smooth, moist skin, teeth in their upper jaw, eyes that protrude more than toads, and longer hind legs. Frogs lay their eggs in or near water, where the female deposits them and the male fertilizes them. The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which later develop into frogs. Frogs typically lay their eggs in clusters and have a carnivorous diet, consuming insects, worms, snails, spiders, and more. Their long, sticky tongue aids in capturing prey. These amphibians prefer to inhabit water bodies such as streams and ponds to keep their skin moist. They remain active both during the day and at night.Toad
Toads belong to the Bufonidae family and can be found worldwide, except in Antarctica. They share similarities with frogs, having short, rigid bodies, wide heads, two front arms, and two hind legs. However, closer inspection reveals key differences. Toads have dry, rough skin with warts and lack teeth. Additionally, their hind legs are shorter compared to frogs. Toad eggs are laid in long chains near water, and some subspecies give birth to live young. Their feeding habits are similar to frogs. Toads predominantly live on land in fields, woods, and gardens. They are nocturnal, sleeping during the day, and are solitary, though they may form groups for hibernation and mating.Difference Between Frog and Toad FAQs
What is the difference between frog and toad?
Frogs stand taller with a green hue, exuding a more cheerful and relaxed demeanour compared to Toads. Toads, on the other hand, are shorter, stout, and sport a brown shade. While equally caring and friendly, Toad tends to be the more serious and uptight member of the duo.
What sets frogs and toads apart?
Frogs boast moist and smooth skin, teeth in their upper jaw, protruding eyes, and longer hind legs compared to toads.
How can you differentiate between toads and frogs?
The easiest way to distinguish the two lies in their skin characteristics. Frogs have smooth and slimy skin, ranging from yellow to brown, with a distinctive brown patch behind their eyes. Toads, however, have dry and somewhat warty skin, appearing dry with a brownish hue.
Do toads jump like frogs?
While frogs use their long, powerful legs to jump and hop, toads prefer walking to hopping. If toads do jump, it's over short distances, as they don't require the extensive leg length of frogs.
Which is larger, a toad or a frog?
Generally, frogs are longer than toads. The Goliath frog holds the title for the world's largest frog, reaching over a foot in length. In contrast, the largest toad is the cane toad, which can grow up to 9.4 inches.
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