Amphibians 102 Chapter 2
Toads
Toads and frogs are very close cousins. Both are amphibians belonging to the same taxonomic order (Anura), they’re built pretty similarly, eat the same foods, live about the same lifespans and in general resemble each other strongly. As far as reproduction goes, just like all amphibians, both toads and frogs need water to reproduce, although some of the more exotic species of both groups actually bear live young in the warm, wet, “watery” environment inside their own bodies. In fact, the name “amphibian” means “both lives”, referring to the two stage life cycle that starts with the swimming long-tailed aquatic young we call tadpoles and finishes with the relatively tailless adult frog or toad, and it’s tough to tell the difference between them as tadpoles.
By Benjamint444 (Own work) [GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Since it’s pretty easy to confuse the two even as adults, let’s talk about the broad differences between True Frogs, technically members of the family Ranidae, and True Toads, members of the Bufonidae family.
The main difference between them is that toads are not aquatic, and can easily drown if they find themselves in a pool or pond without a way to haul themselves out. Frogs are mostly aquatic, with thin, moist skin and generally need a wet or very humid environment so they don’t dry out, be it a puddle inside a bromeliad or a backyard pond. Toads prefer dryer digs, often living in dirt burrows, their thick warty skins protecting them from desiccating. Physically, frogs typically have longer, powerful rear legs adapted for jumping, and they can leap many times their own body lengths to capture prey or avoid predators. Toads have short, strong limbs that are better for walking and hopping, and are often very good diggers. Although the secretions of both frogs and toads can both be irritating, toads have a specialized poison gland behind their eyes for even greater protection against being made a mouthful by a hungry predator.
Toads typically don’t have much to do with ponds other than hanging out nearby to catch the insects and worms that might live pondside. Just remember you’re not going to be doing them any favors by throwing them into the water. As with all amphibians, WASH CAREFULLY after handling. The milky secretions that toads exude from all those warts on their skin can be very toxic.
Toads and frogs are very close cousins. Both are amphibians belonging to the same taxonomic order (Anura), they’re built pretty similarly, eat the same foods, live about the same lifespans and in general resemble each other strongly. As far as reproduction goes, just like all amphibians, both toads and frogs need water to reproduce, although some of the more exotic species of both groups actually bear live young in the warm, wet, “watery” environment inside their own bodies. In fact, the name “amphibian” means “both lives”, referring to the two stage life cycle that starts with the swimming long-tailed aquatic young we call tadpoles and finishes with the relatively tailless adult frog or toad, and it’s tough to tell the difference between them as tadpoles.
By Benjamint444 (Own work) [GFDL 1.2], via Wikimedia Commons
Since it’s pretty easy to confuse the two even as adults, let’s talk about the broad differences between True Frogs, technically members of the family Ranidae, and True Toads, members of the Bufonidae family.
The main difference between them is that toads are not aquatic, and can easily drown if they find themselves in a pool or pond without a way to haul themselves out. Frogs are mostly aquatic, with thin, moist skin and generally need a wet or very humid environment so they don’t dry out, be it a puddle inside a bromeliad or a backyard pond. Toads prefer dryer digs, often living in dirt burrows, their thick warty skins protecting them from desiccating. Physically, frogs typically have longer, powerful rear legs adapted for jumping, and they can leap many times their own body lengths to capture prey or avoid predators. Toads have short, strong limbs that are better for walking and hopping, and are often very good diggers. Although the secretions of both frogs and toads can both be irritating, toads have a specialized poison gland behind their eyes for even greater protection against being made a mouthful by a hungry predator.
Toads typically don’t have much to do with ponds other than hanging out nearby to catch the insects and worms that might live pondside. Just remember you’re not going to be doing them any favors by throwing them into the water. As with all amphibians, WASH CAREFULLY after handling. The milky secretions that toads exude from all those warts on their skin can be very toxic.
