Frogs, like toads, belong to the category of amphibians, which belong to the order of amphibians and anurans, therefore, from a taxonomy point of view, there are almost no significant differences between them. Despite the huge variety of species of toads and frogs, the differences in the characteristics of their appearance are very numerous.
Comparison of physical development
The sizes of frogs, depending on their species characteristics, can vary between 1-30 cm. The skin of an amphibian hangs freely on the body. A feature of the skin texture, in most cases, is surface moisture and smoothness..
Almost all aquatic frogs have webbed toes. A characteristic distinguishing feature of the skin of some frogs is the release of relatively light toxins, making such specimens completely inedible for most potential predators.
This is interesting! The difference between the life expectancy of a frog and a toad is practically absent and, as a rule, is 7-14 years, but some species of these amphibians are able to live in natural conditions more than forty years.
Toads, unlike frogs, on the contrary, most often have uneven, warty skin with a dry surface. Typically, the toad has a short body and legs. In most cases, the eyes of a frog are clearly visible against the background of the body, which is completely uncharacteristic for any species of toad. The large parotid glands, located behind the eyes, produce a specific poisonous secretion that poses no danger to humans at all.
Among other things, the most pronounced differences between a frog and a toad include:
- the long and powerful legs designed for frog jumping are very different from the short legs of the toad, which often walk;
- the frog has teeth on the upper jaw, and toads are completely toothless;
- The body of the toad is larger than that of the frog, it is more squat, and there is also a slight drooping of the head.
Toads, as a rule, hunt after sunset, so they lead a predominantly nocturnal lifestyle, and the main period of activity of frogs occurs exclusively during the daytime.
Comparison of habitat and nutrition
A significant part of the main species of frogs prefer to live in a humid environment and water. At the same time, almost all toads are adapted to living in aquatic environment, and on land. Most often, frogs are found on the coastline of natural reservoirs and swamps, which is due to spending a significant part of the time directly in the water. This amphibian is devoted to the area where it was born and it is there that it prefers to settle for its entire life. Toads are regulars in gardens and vegetable gardens. After being born in water, this amphibian moves to land and returns to water only to lay eggs.
All amphibians use large numbers of insects for food.. The diet of frogs and toads can be represented by slugs, caterpillars, larvae of various insects, earwigs, click beetles, ants, grasshoppers, mosquitoes and other pests that inhabit gardens, orchards and coastal areas.
Comparison of reproduction methods
To procreate, toads and frogs use bodies of water. It is in water that these amphibians lay eggs. The toad lays eggs united in long cords, which are located at the bottom of the reservoir or braid the stem part of aquatic plants. Newly hatched tadpoles also try to stay in groups near the bottom. Over the course of a year, one toad lays approximately ten thousand eggs.
This is interesting! Some species of toad are characterized by the participation of males in the process of hatching eggs. The male may sit in holes in the ground, wrapping the eggs around his leg, just before the hatching stage, after which he transfers the eggs to the pond.
Frog caviar in appearance resembles small mucous lumps that float on the surface of a pond. The emerging tadpoles also live in water, and only after growing up, the young frog will be able to go onto land. Frogs usually lay significant amount eggs For example, a bullfrog can lay about twenty thousand eggs in one season.
Wintering of frogs and toads
Different species of frogs and toads spend the winter in very different natural conditions, due to biological characteristics:
- gray toad and green toad They use loose soil for this purpose and hibernate in earthen cracks or rodent holes;
- the sharp-faced frog and the spadefoot spade hibernate on land, using holes sprinkled with leaves, as well as heaps of coniferous or leaf litter;
- The grass frog prefers to winter at the bottom of a reservoir or in thickets of aquatic vegetation near the coastal zone.
Unfortunately, in very harsh and snowless winters, a significant part of amphibians most often die.
The benefits of frogs and toads
It is clear that a frog and a toad are different amphibians. But very often they are confused, since they are very similar in appearance. But still, what is the difference and Similarities between a frog and a toad?
- The frog has powerful, long hind legs for long jumps, while the toad has short hind legs only for walking.
- Frogs lay eggs in clusters, and their firstborns live in water. Toads lay their eggs in very long chains, but there are toads that do not lay eggs at all, but give birth to living children. The firstborn also live in water.
- The frog has smooth, even pleasant, moist skin. The toad's skin is dry and completely uneven.
- Frogs live mainly in water, while toads prefer to live on land. They can also adapt to water conditions, but still they prefer dry land.
- Toads have no teeth at all, while frogs have them on the upper jaw.
- A frog can be distinguished by its eyes; they protrude, while toads, on the contrary, do not protrude and have poisonous glands behind the eyes.
- Frogs feed mainly on insects, snails, small fish, fry, worms, and spiders. Toads feed more on invertebrate creatures: larvae, slugs, insects, worms.
Similarities and differences between frogs and toads in physical characteristics
Frog size approximately 10 to 300 millimeters. The skin hangs loosely on their body and is moist and smooth. Frogs that prefer to live in water have webbed toes. The skin releases mild toxins that make them unpalatable to predators.
The toad has dry and uneven skin (warty). It is not typical for toads to separate their eyes from their body, and they also have short legs.
The lifespan of frogs and toads is approximately the same and varies from 7 to 14 years. But a life expectancy of 40 years has been recorded.
The golden frog is the most poisonous vertebrate in the world.
For many people, the appearance of a frog and a toad evoke the same hostility. Meanwhile, toads are indispensable as helpers in the garden when it is time for fruits, berries and vegetables to ripen. What about frogs? They can also often be seen among garden beds. Are they useful to humans? And what is the difference between a toad and a frog, if they look similar, but they differ only in size?
Frog and Toad – similarity
The frog and toad belong to the class of amphibians (order - tailless). Both animals are amphibians, that is, creatures that reproduce and undergo initial development in an aquatic environment. And in their mature state, the main part of their existence takes place on land. They have characteristics common to the entire class.
- These are cold-blooded creatures, their body temperature is variable. She's always the same this moment ambient temperature (or 1-2°C higher).
- Metabolism is not intense.
- The skin of both these amphibians plays the role of a gas exchange organ; it is penetrated by a dense capillary network.
- Both amphibians have membranes between their toes, which allow them to swim well.
- These animals are hunters and eat only moving prey. Their diet is also the same - worms, insects, fry, small crustaceans, plankton.
- On average, depending on the species, life expectancy is 7-14 years. Some representatives live up to 40 years.
- Both amphibians (most of their species) reproduce in the aquatic environment. Life cycle consists of four clearly demarcated stages: egg, tadpole, metamorphosis, adult.
Difference between a toad and a frog
Despite the fact that these creatures have a lot in common, there are many differences between them:
- in appearance,
- body structure,
- habits,
- habitat,
- and even the way to care for future offspring. It differs in significant details.
Appearance
The toad has short hind legs, it looks squat, its body is flat, larger than that of a frog, its head is low. The latter has a larger head and is constantly in an elevated position, and the body is much smaller.
Almost all species of frogs have clearly defined eyes against the background of their heads, but this is not typical for toads. On the head of the latter, behind the eyes in the parotid region, there are large glands (parotids) that produce a secretion containing poison. This secret does not pose a danger to human health.
- Frogs are jumping creatures; they jump both up and in length, pushing off from the surface with long, powerful paws. Toads have short legs, which is why they cannot jump, but waddle awkwardly, moving on all four legs.
- Frogs are graceful - their silhouette is elongated, they make deft movements. Visually, they evoke more sympathy, whereas many are not only afraid to touch a toad, but do not even want to look at it - it is so warty. She has dry, uneven skin, and the frog is slippery to the touch.
- These animals also differ in color - the color of the toad’s belly is light, while that of the frog is the same greenish-brown shade as swamp vegetation.
- There are species of frogs that have teeth - they are located on the upper jaw. Toads do not have teeth. Therefore, both amphibians swallow food - they are not able to chew.
- - funny and playful, with unusual and bright colors ideal pets and do not require serious care.
During the day, these amphibians are active in different ways. The toad goes out in search of food in dark time days and leads a nocturnal lifestyle. And frogs are active exclusively during the day.
Differences in habitat
The frog and the toad choose different habitats. The first spends most of its life in water bodies, the second - on land, but in dampness - in grass, foliage, loose soil.
Usually frogs settle on the very shore near swamps or ponds in which their metamorphosis from tadpoles into adults took place. And toads, having left the reservoir on land, gravitate to living in vegetable gardens, orchards, and bushy areas. They return to water only in mating season- lay eggs.
Difference in reproduction
Both amphibians breed in bodies of water - there they lay eggs. But the process of laying eggs is the main difference between these animals from each other.
During the mating season, the number of eggs laid by a toad is significantly less than that of a frog, since its reproductive ability is weaker. Their caviar looks different.
The eggs of toads are connected by cords; in some species their length reaches 8 meters. The cords lie at the bottom of the reservoir, entwining shoots of aquatic vegetation. This amphibian lays about 10 thousand eggs per year. After hatching, the tadpoles stay close to the bottom in schools. After metamorphosis they emerge from the water.
Eggs laid by frogs move freely along the surface of the water in small mucous clumps. The number of eggs there is an order of magnitude greater than that of a toad. For example, in one seasonal clutch of a bull frog there are about 20 thousand eggs. Tadpoles, having been born, also continue to live in the aquatic environment, and only after metamorphosis do the frogs move to land.
There are species of toads in which males are responsible for the viability and development of eggs laid by the female. Thus, the males of one of the species, which is found on European territory, wrap cords with eggs around their paws and guard them in holes dug in moist soil, and not at the bottom of the reservoir, until the time comes for the larvae to hatch. Once it is time for them to hatch, the males transfer the eggs to the aquatic environment.
What benefits do toads and frogs bring to people?
Those who grow agricultural products and are interested in large yields (small farmers, agricultural enterprises) are advised to preserve and maintain the natural population of toads for a given area, minimizing the use of chemical fertilizers and pest control products. And on the territory of a private suburban area you can arrange a small artificial pond with aquatic plants.
Myths about frogs and toads
It is not true that toads are always larger. In western Africa (Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon) there is a goliath frog. Weight adult reaches a little more than 3 kg, the body length is about 32 cm. In a jump (taking into account the length of the limbs), the total body length of the goliath is almost 90 cm.
It is not true that toads are poisonous animals, and frogs cannot cause any harm to human health. It all depends on the species: a person risks dying just by touching a toad called Aga (area - Central and South America) or the Cocoi frog (its correct name is the Terrible Leaf Climber, found in the tropics in southwestern Colombia).
Toads that live in Europe and Asia are absolutely harmless to people. The poisonous secretion they secrete contains bufotenine, but this substance only affects their natural enemies in nature: an animal that tries to squeeze a toad with its teeth begins to salivate profusely.
A frog and a toad have between them a sufficient amount of both common features and so are the differences. But we should not forget that populations of frogs and toads, within their natural abundance, form part of the planet’s ecosystem. This means that any of the species is important and necessary to maintain balance on the planet.
Did you like the article? Take it to your wall and support the project!
It would seem, at first glance, that these are two absolutely identical creatures: both are amphibians, both are amphibians, both feed the same - snails and insects, and they are so similar in appearance that you can’t tell them apart - both have sticky, moist skin, four small legs , the hind ones of which are in the fold, both have webbed feet. However, a frog and a toad are two completely different animals that have a lot of differences.
So, the first difference is external (and yet it exists!)
This is perhaps the most common difference among people between a frog and a toad. The toad has numerous warts on its body. But frogs have a smooth skin surface, without any skin growths. Although, to be precise, the toad does not have warts on its body, but growths from clusters of glands. It is in them that some individuals have poisonous glands that can cause harm to humans. Remember the expression “poisonous toad”? So there is such an expression about a toad, but they don’t say that about a frog.
The second difference. Body dimensions.
Have you ever seen small frogs whose body length is just over a centimeter? Yes, yes, there are such frogs. They usually jump very high. But there are no toads of this size. As a rule, toads are always large and massive. And their body is so heavy that it seems that the toad is overweight.
The third difference. Leg length.
The legs of a frog are much longer than those of a toad. This explains the fact that frogs are more jumping than toads. They jump in length and height so that any toad will not be able to repeat such a beautiful “acrobatic performance”. Toads move on the ground exclusively on their four legs and practically do not jump at all. They do this only in emergency cases, when they feel danger and a threat to their lives.
The fourth difference. Skin property.
Biological scientists have found that a frog's skin is moister than a toad's. Therefore, for its comfortable existence, the toad requires a moist environment to soften the dryness of the skin. A toad cannot live for long without moisture. She lives in very humid places. But frogs, unlike toads, tolerate heat better, although they also cannot live without moisture for long.
The fifth difference. Type of eggs.
Usually frogs have eggs appearance resemble a jelly mass that spreads through the water as if in lumps. And the eggs of a toad are a long ribbon that can easily entwine an aquatic plant under water. The length of the toad's caviar ribbon sometimes reaches several meters.
The sixth difference. Presence of teeth.
Even the smallest frog has teeth. In most amphibians they are located exclusively on the upper jaw. A toad has no teeth at all! An overweight toad does not grind its food, much less chew it. The toad swallows the food whole. She does this very quickly and never chokes or choke.
Seventh difference. Presence of a chest.
According to people who have held both a toad and a frog in their hands, the toad does not have a chest. That is, if you feel it behind the front paws, you can feel the special softness of the body. The author of these lines has never performed such experiments, so he cannot confirm this difference. However, this is said by people who should be trusted, so we will add this difference to our general list.
The eighth difference. Painting color.
The frog has a wide variety of colors, which can sometimes surprise with its brightness and unusualness. Bright red, light green, green and even yellow! The toad, unlike the frog, is absolutely dull and boring. Its skin is a dull gray and greenish shade, going deep into brown. The frog is a real fashionista!
Now, I think you will definitely be able to distinguish a frog from a toad and will not get confused.
At the dacha, in the park by the pond, during walks in nature, my 6-year-old son and I often meet frogs, look at them with interest, and sometimes even try to catch them. But long-legged frogs timidly and cleverly hide out of sight. And then one day my son asked: is a frog or toad sitting in front of us in the grass. Upon returning home, I had to begin a detailed study of this issue... It turned out that the topic of differences between two amphibians is also being studied in 2nd grade primary school within the subject « The world» , therefore, we decided to summarize the results of our research in the blog article “Grandma’s Dacha”. Let's do it together compare frog and toad , let's define what similarities and differences are there between them. For clarity, the article will use many pictures and tables. Join us 😉
- Key similarities and differences: Comparison of a frog and a toad.
- The frog is man's friend!
- Differences in tables.
- Differences in pictures.
Frog or toad?
Firstly, let's start with the fact that the frog and the toad are still relatives. They belong to the same class - amphibians (amphibians), and also to general squad- tailless. Outwardly they look the same, but only at first glance. Taking a closer look, you can identify a lot of differences!
Table No. 1: Comparison of frog and toad
Table from the magazine “Garden with your own hands. A collection of practical solutions."
This table briefly, accurately and informatively reflects all the main differences between frogs and toads, and for a detailed comparison we will go through each point in more detail.
Attention! The last paragraph of the table is not correct in all cases. Some species of frogs (especially those that we see in gardens), like toads, lead a predominantly land-based lifestyle: these are grass frogs and sharp-faced (swamp) frogs. They overwinter, burrowing into holes with a lot of leaves, inhabiting rodent burrows and voids in the ground, climbing into rotten stumps, tree hollows, and basements.
Appearance
Similarities: It is not for nothing that frogs and toads are combined into one class and order. Their body structure is similar: both have a head, torso, hind and forelimbs, eyes, and there is no tail.
Differences:
— The frog’s body is covered with smooth, always moist skin. Toads have dry skin, with keratinized growths similar to warts (they secrete a poisonous liquid that repels enemies).
- IN middle lane Russian frogs, as a rule, have a gray-greenish skin color, with specks (speckled). The toad's skin is usually gray-brown, with a brown tint.
- The body size of frogs is smaller, usually up to 10 cm. Toads are larger - usually up to 20 cm in length.
— The structure of the hind legs is the most important distinguishing feature conditioned by behavior patterns. Frogs are more mobile, active, love to jump and move precisely by jumping, so nature has endowed them with long, well-developed hind limbs. Toads are massive and slow, rarely jump, and mostly waddle, so their hind legs are poorly developed and are much shorter than those of frogs.
— The shape of the head of frogs is usually pointed, while that of toads is rounded. Frogs are much more “long-nosed.”
— Frogs breathe through their lungs and skin. Toads breathe only through their lungs.
— Frogs do not have large parotid glands, but toads do (located in the back of the head).
— Some species of frogs have teeth, but toads do not.
These are the main external features toads and frogs. I would like to note that in nature there are a huge number of their species, differing in skin color, size, and the special structure of some parts of the body.
Habitat
Similarities: Both toads and frogs love dampness and are able to move on the ground. Both lay eggs in the water.
Differences:
— Frogs love to be both in water and on land. Toads lead a predominantly terrestrial lifestyle, prefer to walk on the ground, and they only need water to lay eggs.
— Frogs live in and near ponds, rivers, lakes. Toads live in the garden, meadow, field, and forest.
— During the day, frogs prefer to sit in a pond, up to their necks in water, and go hunting in the late afternoon. Toads sit somewhere in a damp, secluded place during the day, and hunt at night (which is why we rarely see them).
— For the winter, frogs climb into the mud at the bottom of the reservoir. Toads overwinter in loose, damp soil, burrowing to a depth of about 10-12 cm, and also willingly climb into abandoned mouse or mole holes for the winter.
Note! Some species of frogs (for example, grass frogs) lead a predominantly land-based lifestyle, therefore, like toads, they spend the winter burrowing into the ground. We can often see such frogs in summer cottages and vegetable gardens. When digging up beds in the fall or in early spring you can accidentally discover an amphibian in the ground. Do not deprive them of the opportunity to overwinter on your site, because frogs benefit us by eating pests.
Behavior
Similarities: Toads and frogs are capable of jumping, but are active to varying degrees.
Differences:
— Frogs are graceful and agile. Toads are stocky, clumsy and inactive.
— Frogs love to jump and swim. Toads walk, waddling from side to side, rarely jump, and only sometimes make short, heavy jumps.
— Frogs prefer big ones noisy companies, and toads - loneliness.
— Frogs are very active during rain: they jump on the grass, sometimes in large quantities They jump out onto the asphalt, where drivers, unfortunately, crush them. Toads are indifferent to such a phenomenon as rain; it does not change their usual slow way of life
- Nature has not endowed toads with mobility and the ability to quickly escape from an enemy, but they have a special defense mechanism - poisonous glands (frogs do not have them). In toads, the largest venom glands are located near the ears, at the back of the head. They are sealed with special “plugs” and release poison only when squeezed. In addition, small poisonous glands are scattered throughout the body of toads, which repel enemies. If the toad is grabbed by a predator, all the small glands will reflexively release poison. It repels enemies with its taste, smell, and also causes vomiting.
Nutrition
Similarities: They feed on insects. Both eat mosquitoes, larvae, and worms.
Differences:
— Frogs eat mainly flying insects: mosquitoes, midges, flies, dragonflies. They are helped to hunt by a long sticky tongue and the ability to jump. Toads feast on slugs, earthworms, caterpillars, and beetles, so they do not need active movement and do not need long, developed hind legs.
— Toads and frogs themselves can become a delicacy for other inhabitants of wildlife (birds of prey, snakes, pikes and even foxes). But there are differences here too. Storks eat frogs, but will not touch the toad, because it has warts on its body that secrete a repellent, poisonous liquid. There is nothing to be done, this is the natural food chain, and amphibians are an important link in it.
Reproduction
Similarities: Eggs are laid in reservoirs, and tadpoles subsequently emerge from them.
Differences:
— Frogs lay eggs in the form of rounded clots of jelly-like mass, which floats on the surface of a reservoir or is attached to the leaves of aquatic plants. Toads, despite their terrestrial lifestyle, also need water to reproduce. Unlike frogs, they lay eggs in the form of long necklaces, entwining them with the stems of aquatic plants.
Interesting fact: Frogs remember the pond in which they were born and turned first into tadpoles, and then into little frogs. Having reached sexual maturity, they strive to get into their native body of water to lay eggs there. Frogs will recognize their pond even if it is covered with soil.
The frog is man's friend!
Frogs and toads bring great benefits to humans by eating harmful insects: slugs, mole crickets, wireworms, bedbugs, weevils, raspberry beetles, aphids, ants and many others. They are an important link in the natural food chain, and the loss of at least one of the links entails negative consequences.
Environmentalists are concerned: the numbers of some amphibian species are rapidly declining. The culprit is human activity, which is destroying the habitat of frogs and toads. Many reservoirs are being drained protected places are being laid car roads, car exhaust fumes, and agricultural pesticides poison them.
It's not just humans who pose a danger to frogs and toads. Their natural enemies are predator birds, snakes, hedgehogs, rats, storks, herons, cranes, pikes, perches, minks, ferrets, weasels, otters, foxes. Frosty Russian winters also prove fatal for many amphibians: only 5 percent of frogs are able to survive the winter.
Let's take care of the cute frogs by preserving environment! Don't push, don't hit them. The opinion that warts appear from frogs and toads is just a myth, a big misconception. And yet, touching some types of frogs and toads with your hands can be dangerous - they are poisonous.
Differences in tables
Generalized information about the similarities and differences between frogs and toads can be expressed in tables:
Differences in pictures
We hope our research and review of the differences between toads and frogs will help in completing homework. Write your reviews in the comments, we will be glad! 😉