Difference Between Frogs and Toads
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How to Tell the Difference Between Frogs and Toads: Facts About Frogs and Toads
You may be surprised to learn that most of the frogs you see around your house are actually toads. There are slight differences between frogs and toads that will help you identify the friendly little creatures, and I share those characteristics here.
Image: Elwood W. McKay III / FreeDigitalPhotos.net
The Difference Between Frogs and Toads
Facts about frogs and toads
Frogs and toads are both amphibians and have similar body structures, making it difficult for the average person to tell the difference between the two.
Frogs and toads both start out their lives in water, and both return to water to lay their eggs. But, frogs live in or near water their entire lives, have smooth skin, and have webbed feet. Toads live the majority of their life span on land, have dry skin that looks warty, and have toes.
The other major difference between frogs and toads is in their body structure. Frogs have strong, long back legs for jumping. Toads have shorter hind legs for walking. Frogs have narrow bodies with bulging eyes and toads have broader, flattened bodies.
You can see all of these subtle differences in the picture above.
Is it a Frog or Toad?
Why I wanted to learn more facts about frogs and toads.
Cute little frogs have been coming out at night and enjoying the bug buffet we seem to have on our back porch. They are so adorable. My husband, toddler, and I have enjoyed watching them catch mosquitoes and hop around each night. They made a little hole to live in under one of our garden stepping stones.My husband said that we should buy them a frog house. I thought that sounded like a great idea, so I began shopping for one. I discovered that there are no frog houses, but only toad houses. So, I did a little research and discovered that those cute little frogs on our back porch are actually toads.
Toad Houses
Keep toads safe from predators.
Frog and Toad Book Series for Kids
Frog and toad children books.
remember reading these books as a kid. They are great early reader books for children who are just starting to read books on their own.
My oldest child just turned four. I read the very first Frog and Toad book to her every night and she loves it.
Do You Like Frogs and Toads?
Are you a frog and toad lover? Maybe you believe we have a lot to learn about frogs and toads or you might just think they're cute. Maybe you collect frog or toad items.
If you don't like the little amphibians, maybe you think they're gross or icky. Maybe you believe the old wives' tale about getting warts from toads. Or, you could even have a phobia of the little critters.
What ever the case may be, tell me about it here...
Do you like frogs and/or toads?
Yes, and here's why...
larksong says:
I have many little green frogs and mud toads around my house. They eat the bugs that hang around my back door and sing a chirp at each other all night. I love them. I don't care that they make noise, they're eating the insects. Sing away little guys!
RealMonstrosity says:
I love frogs and toads, they come in so many different sizes and colours!
lbos114 says:
I love finding tree frogs! They are definitely my fav. I had one on my hand once, he jumped off and just before he got too far he grabbed back on! :)
Evelyn_Saenz says:
Frogs are adorable. They hop around eating bugs. They are green. Oh so many reasons to love frogs.
lilymom24 says:
Yes, we see them around the house from time to time and the kids love to hold them.
GonnaFly says:
Oh yes. Lovely creatures - except the cane toad which has become a problem after being introduced to Australia.
NuMil3Design says:
They have great legs. Yummy.
ShirlW says:
Yes! I love frogs, not so much toads though. They are cute - especially the Red Eyed Tree Frog. Even a frog hater would think they are cute!
jptanabe says:
I've found some very cute little frogs, well I guess they're really toads, in our yard over the years. Also we hear them at night making lots of noises!
wolftyrs says:
I was the little girl with frogs in her pocket. Lizards, too. They were some of my favorite playmates. I still think both are adorable.
girlfriendfactory says:
I love them both and it always tickles me to see one. I was raised in Colorado and I saw more growing up than I have as an adult in Texas. Funny story: When I was about 13 or 14 years old, we had a friend with a cabin in the mountains that was up a hill from the Platt River. We used to go down to the river to fish, swim and sometimes tube. One day we went down and our friend way laying in her beach chair tanning and I was playing in the river when I came across a frog. I snatched it up and went to show her. The sun was in her eyes so she raised her head up using her hand to block the sun from her eyes and it must have startled the poor little frog who promptly wriggled free from my grip and jumped right on her chest. Talk about some screaming! I still laugh thinking about it!
Tipi says:
Yes, I do like frogs and toads.
pussreboots says:
Yes. They are such fascinating creatures.
paperfacets says:
I love everything about those guys. We had a frog? Toad? water puddle near our house for about ten years till it was paved over because of a new housing tract.
dc64 says:
Yep, they are my favorite animal.
thrivingmom says:
I think they're all cute and as my toddler says, I love to watch them "hop, hop, hop." I think frog jewelry and collectibles are adorable. But, I have to admit...I get all girly when it comes to touching or holding an amphibian. The other day a little toad hopped in our house when I let the dog out and I screamed for my husband to come get it. I just could bring myself to pick it up.
Jimmie says:
I like 'em all, especially those tiny ones! So adorable!
No, and here's why...
ravi551854 says:
no i do not like frogs because its a spongy creature
awelldressedbullet says:
I hate anything that is creepy, crawly or jumps, ok, so I am a big chicken at heart LOL
Momsbusy247 says:
They jump and then they scare me. Maybe if they just sat still I would be okay with them.
paul says:
toads make lots of noise near my house. i hate them with a passion
Evelyn_Saenz says:
I love them both.
Frog Trinket Box
Beautiful gift for frog lovers.
Green Frog Crystals Jewelry Trinket Ring Box
Amazon Price: $29.99 (as of 05/31/2012)
Facts About Frogs and Toads
Frogs and toads are important to our environment.
Frogs and toads can save the world if only we'd listen to what they have to say. Amphibians breathe through their skin. This makes them super vulnerable to pollutants and other environmental hazards, such as pesticides and chytrid, a deadly fungus. This means frogs and toads serve as a predictor of environmental impacts on the future of the rest of the animal kingdom.
Scientist are now very alarmed at the rate of which the current frog and toad population around the world is dwindling. The legendary golden frog of Panama has almost completely disappeared from the wild. Closer to home, the Houston Toad is close to extinction.
How wide spread is this problem? If no changes are made, we are currently in danger of losing half of our world's amphibian population. To put this in better perspective and to get the public's attention, Jeff Corwin, an Emmy-winning host of multiple wild life educational shows on the Animal Planet Channel, says "If this is allowed to continue, it will represent the largest mass extinction since the dinosaurs."
Paul Crump, a reptile and amphibian keeper at the Houston Zoo is very alarmed by the dwindling Houston Toad population. He warns, "It's not just amphibians that are crashing. We're all crashing. Birds. Fish. Mammals. But the amphibians are the first to go. They serve as a smack in the face for us."
It's time that we all start listening to my the world's frog and toad population has to say to us.
Do You Have a Lens About Protecting the Environment?
Add your green living lens here.
If you have a lens, blog, or site about living green or the health of our environment, then add the link here.
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We Can Learn a Lot from Frogs and Toads
More fun facts about frogs and toads.
They Encourage Us to Hang in There
They Teach Us to Enjoy Nature
They Remind Us to Have Fun
They Teach Us that We're All Beautiful in Our Own Way
Do You Have a Lens About Frogs or Toads?
Add your frog or toad link here.
If you have a lens, blog, or site about frogs or toads, add the link here.
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Read More About Frogs and Toads and What They Can Teach Us
Frog and Toad Books
Frog and Toads Infomation
Great frog and toad links.
- Is it a Frog or a Toad?
- One of the most common questions is, "What is the difference between Frogs and Toads?" Most are surprised to hear that all Toads actually are Frogs!
- Frogland
- Everything you ever wanted to know about frogs and more.
- Nature Haven: Toads
- All about toads, includes great toad photos.
- 4 2 Explore
- Educational frog and toad information.
The Creator of the Squidoo Frog Pond Image
The lensmaster behind the awesome Squidoo pond picture.
Steve, lensmaster name tagsforkids, was the creator of the Squidoo pond image. He made it per my request. It turned out way better than my wildest imagination. Many thanks, Steve for a uniquely creative image. =)Did You Learn About Frogs and Toads Differences Here?
Thank you for visiting.
Leave your comments, suggestions, and well-wishes here.
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jasmineann
Nov 12, 2011 @ 2:27 pm | delete
- We have frogs visiting our garden each year. We have no idea where they come from or where they go when they leave. We don't have a pond but they seem very happy in our garden when they live there ! Great lens explaining the differences between frogs and toads.
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Treasures-By-Brenda
Jun 29, 2011 @ 6:28 am | delete
- Yes, thank you, now if I can remember them.
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RealMonstrosity
Jun 27, 2011 @ 11:53 am | delete
- Beautiful lens, thankyou!
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lbos114
Apr 27, 2011 @ 10:05 pm | delete
- I enjoyed this lens very much, thank you! My favorite thing was the pic of the tree frog atop Earth, very nice :)
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Evelyn_Saenz
Feb 13, 2011 @ 4:45 pm | delete
- Just hopped over to Bless this Frog Lens! Thank you for the delightful hop through the world of frogs.
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lilymom24
Feb 9, 2011 @ 5:25 pm | delete
- What a nice lens about frogs & toads ~ I thought of the children's book series as soon as I saw your title so it was nice to see that you included them in the lens. =)
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doubleside
Dec 8, 2010 @ 7:44 am | delete
- whoaa..frogs!!
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GonnaFly
Nov 26, 2010 @ 3:05 am | delete
- What a great lens. Very nicely presented.
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ShirlW
Oct 4, 2010 @ 5:56 am | delete
- From someone who loves frogs, I loved your lens! Thanks for the lensroll - right back at you!
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jptanabe
Sep 9, 2010 @ 4:30 pm | delete
- Loved this lens! I didn't realize how helpful frogs and toads are in the environment. Now I'm really glad to hear them every night outside our bedroom window!
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by thrivingmom
Frogs and toads differences are very subtle. But with the facts about frogs and toads on this page, you will be able to distinguish between the two.
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