Frogs vs Toads: What's The Difference?

Frogs and toads are two amphibians with an almost similar look and morphology. Apparently, they look the same and this is what makes it difficult for people to distinguish between them. Frogs and toads share the same order, Anura, which is why they have some similarities. In fact, all toads are frogs but not all frogs are toads. This is because the term "frog" refers to any member of the order Anura, which also includes the family Bufonidae, the members of which are known as true toads.

Although similar, frogs and toads can be distinguished based on the characters given below.

SKIN

A cane toad(left) and an American bullfrog(right).

Image Credit: 1. Fernando Flores, 2. Oregon State University

The most common distinguishing feature of frogs and toads is their skin. Toads usually have warty skin with many bumps. Their skin also looks dry all the time.

Frogs have smooth skin covered in mucus because of which they appear wet all the time.

Image Credit: a. Brian Gratwicke b. Greg Schechter

Even though the skin is the most common difference between frogs and toads, it cannot be used as a distinguishing feature for all species. Not all frogs have smooth skin and not all toads have bumpy skin. For example, Harlequin toads, a species of true toads or the toads of the family Bufonidae, have smooth skin which makes them look like a frog and bumpy rocket frogs, as the name suggests, have many bumps on their skin which makes them look like toads.

SHAPE

Toads are usually short and stout.

Frogs generally have longer bodies.

HABITAT

Toads can be found far away from water as they are better at coping with dry conditions.

Frogs are usually not found far away from water.

LEGS

Toads have shorter legs.

Frogs have longer legs.

LOCOMOTION

Toads tend to crawl and sometimes hop rather than jump.

Frogs usually jump to move from place to place rather than crawl.

TEETH

Image Credit: infovisual.info

Toads do not have any teeth.

Frogs have two types of teeth: maxillary teeth on the upper jaw ridge and vomerine teeth on the palate. Both, maxillary and vomerine teeth are used for gripping food.

SPAWN/EGGS

Image Credits: a. Kasman; b. James Lindsey at Ecology of Commanster

Tadpoles lay their eggs in stringy lengths.

Frogs lay their eggs in clumps.

Despite knowing the differences between toads and frogs, one can misidentify one for the other. This is when apps like Google Lens and Seek by iNaturalist come in handy.

Here is a video that explains the differences between frogs and toads in a much better way.