Amphibians are tetrapods i.e. four limbs vertebrates that have a relatively higher body temperature internally. It belongs to the phylum Vertebrae and the class of Amphibia. Amphibians consist of various kinds of habitats, and they mostly live in a freshwater aquatic, terrestrial, arboreal ecosystem. A most common feature of amphibians is that they live their larvae in water. But some species have adapted themselves to live both on land as well as in water. Frog and Toad also belong to the branch of Amphibians.
Frog vs Toad
The main difference between frogs and Toad is that frogs have long legs, which allows them to hop and jump. Toads have small legs in comparison to Frogs, and they crawl or move slowly. They can’t jump or hop. A toad can be called a frog because it can develop into. But a frog can’t be called a toad. Frog has very wet, slimy skin, whereas toads have very dry skin, and they look bumpy and fat.
Frog is the tailless amphibians that are thin and slimy than toads. Largely they are carnivorous and belong to the order of Anura. Frogs are among the five most diverse vertebrates. The skin of the frog is glandular, which means they release secretions that are toxic in nature. It can be found in many colours, from camouflage to grey to black. They lay their eggs in water and have long legs. Frogs are very important for humans symbolically as well as culturally, like in literature and religion.
Toad is a member of Bufoniade, which are also called a true toad. They have dry skin, short legs, a bumpy body that covers the parotid glands. Their skin is rough and can be mostly seen in the terrestrial region. Bumps that are found in their body are known as warts, and these are the signs of a healthy body. They belong to the Animalia kingdom and order of Anura.
Comparison Table Between Frog and Toad
| Parameters of Comparison | Frog | Toad |
| Locomotion | Jumps or Hops | Crawls |
| Appearance | Lean and slender | Stubby, bumpy and short |
| Habitat | Lives in water | Lives inland |
| Eggs | In clusters | In chains |
| Feet | Webbed feet | Do not have webbed feet |
What is Frog?
Frog comes from the Old English word ‘frogga’, which means animal tail, and it belongs to the order of Anura. The fossil of frogs was first discovered in Madagascar, which dates back to 265 million years ago. Frogs can be found all over the world, from subtropical regions to arctic regions. The greatest species and diversity of frogs can be seen in Tropical rainforests. Almost 7,300 species of frogs have been recorded till now. Frogs account for 88% of the population of Amphibians. It is also one of the five diverse vertebrates in the order of Anura.
Frogs belong to various families like Hylidae, Microhylidae, Craugastoridae, and Bufonidae, which are very rich in species. The skin of the frogs are very protective, and they function as a respiratory organ. It can help to control the temperature of the frog’s body and also absorbs water. It consists of many glands called granular glands, which secrete many toxic and distasteful substances. Due to this secretion, skin becomes very sticky and moist, which protects it from bacteria as well as from predators.
The frog’s skin sheds every week. They are cold-blooded animals which means they can regulate the temperature. The defensive mechanism which is used by frogs is called camouflage, in which they blend themselves according to the situation and remains undetected. They are also nocturnal, can change their skin colour. Their teeth are very week to digest the food, so it uses a sticky tongue to catch its prey. It has no tail, lays larvae in water, and mostly it has long hind legs, webbed toes, no claws, elongated ankle bones and large eyes.
What is Toad?
Toads also belong to the order of Anura, and they are the member of Bufonidae. It is believed that Bufoniade originated in South America when there was a breakup of Gondwana some 70-90 million years ago in the Late Cretaceous period. Toads can be found on every continent except in Antarctica and Australia. Unlike frogs, they can be found in arid, humid and dry regions as well as in rainforests. They lay their eggs in strings which become tadpoles. They are warty in their looks.
Toads are usually toothless and have a pair of glands at the back of heads called parotid glands. These glands, when excreted, release poison, causing different effects. Each toad consists of different substances in different proportions. Whether female or male toads, they contain the Bidder’s organ, which later develops into an ovary. Internal fertilization also takes place. Toads undergo the process of Metamorphosis.
570 species of the Bufoniade family has been found, which belong to 52 genera. Common toad or European toads can be found in almost every part of Europe, North-west Africa and north-Asia except in Ireland, Iceland and the Mediterranean. Believed to have originated from common ancestors, i.e. toads. It usually hides in the daytime and wanders at night and dusk time for its prey. It moves slowly because of its short legs.
Main Differences Between Frog and Toad
- Frogs usually hop because of their long and slender legs. Toads usually crawl while moving around.
- Frogs are very lean and thin in appearance. Toads are short, bumpy and stubby in appearance.
- Frogs live in water or around it during their whole life. Toads live in drier places as it adapts itself according to climatic conditions.
- Eggs laid by frogs are in clusters. Eggs laid by toads are in chains.
- Frogs have webbed feet, which helps them in semi-aquatic conditions. Toads do not possess webbed feet.
Conclusion
Both Frogs and Toads belong to the same order of Anura. Both have characteristics that sometimes overlap with each other. Both belong to the same Kingdom Animalia, same Phylum Chordata, same class Amphibia. Frogs are found globally because it is a semi-aquatic species. Toads are found in Africa, Asia and Europe only because it is adaptable to arid regions. They are thick, bumpy and have dry skin. Frogs have many species, and it is an umbrella term. Toads also come under the category of Frogs, more or less. Toads undergo a process of Metamorphosis, i.e. they can become a frog from a tadpole. But a frog can’t be a Toad.
References
- http://www.lee.net/app/awards/2013/spirit/finalists/Casper%20exhibits/MyTrib9.17.pdf
- https://esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1890/03-5408