Being royal isn’t always easy. Sometimes you have to kiss a frog, but is that a toad? Nature lovers and nobility alike would benefit from knowing the differences between these two incredible amphibians. Here are the key factors you can look for to tell them apart!
Start by examining the skin texture
The media often portrays frogs as green and toads as brown, but that’s a myth. Both of these amphibians can be a rainbow of colors! A much better clue is the texture of their skin. Frogs are natural swimmers, so they have smooth skin for better hydrodynamics. But toads mostly stay on land, so their skin is bumpy. However, touching a toad won’t give you warts. That’s another media myth!
Check for leg length and hopping style
Another clue to an amphibian’s identity is how they get around. Frogs have long legs while toads have short ones, which makes a big difference when it comes to hopping. Because frogs’ legs are longer than their bodies, they can take long, flying leaps. Toads are a little more squatty, so they tend to amble around in a series of shorter hops. Their slower hopping pattern creates an unexpected advantage because they can more easily ambush insects to eat!
Notice your proximity to water
Appearance isn’t the only thing you can use to tell frogs and toads apart. Where you find the amphibian in question can also help you identify it. Because frogs have such smooth skin, they need to be submerged in water to stay hydrated. Therefore, you’ll never find a frog very far from a lake or pond. But toads have all-terrain bumpy skin, so they can venture much farther from water. You can find them on adventures almost anywhere!
With these few simple tips, you’ll never confuse frogs with toads again. No more calling that unidentified amphibian a “froad” or a “trog”! Which amphibian is your favorite: frogs or toads? Click the blue button below to vote! 👓