Frogs and Toads

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic by 13 people | Log in to rate

Ranked #1,593 in Home, #99,935 overall

What's the Difference Between a Frog and a Toad? Why Do I Love Them?

When you think about frogs and toads, you may first picture a mischievous little boy chasing a screaming little girl around with a helpless amphibian in his hands.

It may surprise you to learn that most of the frogs you see around your house are actually toads. It may also be news to you that frogs and toads are very important to our environment.

Why I Made This Lens 

A Tribute to the Little Toads on My Back Porch

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.

What' the Difference Between a Frog and a Toad? 

How to Tell Whether it's a Frog or a Toad

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.

Frog Photos on Flickr 

Pictures of Frogs

Hot Frog On Frog Action by rcampoamor

Green Frog by J Gilbert

Red Brick Green Frog by Jeff Clow

Frog Day Afternoon, Pt. 3...Surfacing by ozoni11

Splendid Tree Frog by AlexandraPhotos

Did someone say S.M.U.G. Frog? by carf

Green Frog! by Hamed Saber

Frog Prince by Lisa-S

Rachels frog by beachut (John)

Turtle Frog - Myobatrachus gouldi by Evan Pickett

another  frog by rainforest_harley

Frog on my kayak by stellaretriever

Toad Photos on Flickr 

Pictures of Toads

American Toad by Razzy Raz

Green on Green Too by Jeff Clow

Cowboy comes a courtin' by cowgirlrightup

Blueberry & Toad by 'SeraphimC

Common Toad by 5348 Franco

I Toad the Line!! by LeapFrog! (On Summer Hours - LOL)

Fat Toad by mplonsky

I'm Too Sexy For My Warts! by Greek_Sunshine

I've Got My Eyes On You!! by ~Diana Nevermind~AWOL~Back in 2 Weeks~

Portrait of a common toad by lasse christensen

Small toad grinning. by rcvernors

Portrait of the artist as a young frog by David Maury aka Asteri Design

Do You Like Frogs and Toads? 

How Do You Feel About 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?

Loading Fetching blurbs now... please stand by

Yes, and here's why...

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...

Evelyn_Saenz says:

I love them both.

 
 
1 of 1 page
 

Frogs and Toads are Important to Our Environment 

Frogs and Toads Can Save the World

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.

Frog Jewelry for the Frog Lover in Your Life 

Adorable Frog Jewelry

We Can Learn a Lot from 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

Frogs for Collectors 

Frog Collectibles on eBay

Loading Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
eBay

Frog and Toad Book Series for Kids 

Great "I Can Read" Books for Kids

I 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.

Thank You for Visiting 

Sign My Guestbook

Leave your comments, suggestions, and well-wishes here.

MyChildCreatesowner wrote...

Cool Lens..really enjoyed all of the photos....well done

ReplyPosted March 15, 2009

Evelyn_Saenz wrote...

Wonderful info on frogs.

ReplyPosted March 14, 2009

paperfacets wrote...

That red and green picture is stunning. Seeing that just soothes my eyes and reaffirms my love of color. 5*, no kidding.

ReplyPosted February 17, 2009

SideSplitters wrote...

Nice work, congratulations on Giant Squid this round!

ReplyPosted January 14, 2009

rms wrote...

I love this lens!

ReplyPosted January 05, 2009

Janet21 wrote...

Fun lens! 5*'s and lensrolled to my Frog Birthday Party lens. :)

ReplyPosted November 04, 2008

Jimmie wrote...

Hopping over to your guestbook to say that I love this lens!
Blessed too!

ReplyPosted October 29, 2008