What is the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?
Frogs and toads look superficially quite similar. However, frogs usually have a smooth, moist skin and spend most of their lives in or near water (their moistness makes them susceptible to drying out). They have longer hind legs than toads and characteristically move by leaping. In contrast, toads usually have a dry, warty-looking skin and spend most of their time living on land. Their hind legs are shorter than frogs and they crawl rather than jump.
Toads are fascinating creatures and there is absolutely no truth to the old wives tale that handling them can give you warts! (Viruses give you warts, not toads.) They should of course always be handled with great care to avoid injuring them. You should also always wash your hands afterwards because of the toxins in the toad’s skin.
Toads are predators, typically eating insects and small animals such as worms, slugs and snails. Prey is seized with the long sticky tongue, which is rooted at the front of the mouth. This can be extended by as much as 25mm.
Common Frog (Rana temporaria) Common Toad (Bufo bufo)
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