How do frogs and toads differ?

If you’ve ever wondered about the frog versus toad debate, you might have assumed that these amphibians were vastly different. However, the truth may surprise you: Toads are part of the order Anura and are essentially a subset of frogs. As Christopher Raxworthy, curator of herpetology at the American Museum of Natural History, told Mytour in 2015, 'All toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads.' In common usage, 'toad' is often used to describe a frog with dry, warty skin and short legs.

Here's how to distinguish frogs from toads, and where true toads fit in the picture.

Visual Differences

Frogs and toads have distinct types of skin. If you come across an animal with dry, bumpy skin, you’re most likely looking at a toad. (And no, touching a toad won't give you warts—that’s just a myth.) Frogs, on the other hand, have smooth, moist skin.

Frogs have slender bodies and long limbs, which make them excellent for jumping long distances and swimming quickly. In contrast, toads have shorter front limbs and tend to hop or walk. Toads also have large glands behind their eyes, called 'paratoid glands,' that secrete toxins.

Distinct Environments

These amphibians have different habitat preferences: Frogs thrive in aquatic environments to keep their skin moist, while toads are more often found on land. Their skin is better equipped to retain moisture, allowing them to venture further from water.

Differences in Reproduction

Both frogs and toads reproduce in water, but their spawn differs: Frogs lay their eggs in clusters, while toads typically lay their eggs in long chains. According to Discover Wildlife, frogs are capable of breeding and laying eggs in colder temperatures compared to toads.

The Authentic Toads

There is also a group of amphibians known as true toads. These creatures belong to the Bufonidae family, which includes 50 genera and almost 600 species, distributed across all continents except Antarctica and Australia. Interestingly, the cane toad, which is now spreading across Australia, was introduced there in the 1930s. “They are classified as a natural group based on their DNA and skeletal features,” explained Raxworthy. For instance, true toads lack teeth, and the skin on their heads is often ossified to the skull.

Even within this group, the difference between a toad and a frog isn’t always obvious. “While many true toads have dry, warty skin, not all do,” Raxworthy noted. If you encountered an amphibian from the genus Atelopus, you might mistakenly think it was a regular frog—but these vibrantly colored creatures from Central and South America are also classified as true toads.

Some species, such as those in the Bombinatoridae family, are commonly called toads, despite technically being frogs. Nature has its complexities.

Now that you've learned the distinction between frogs and toads, explore the differences between crickets and grasshoppers, bison and buffalo, and pigeons and doves for more natural insights.