Frogs & Toads

At first glance toads and frogs look very similar, as they do have anatomical similarities. However there are important differences between frogs and toads. To demonstrate this, comparisons are made between the common frog and common toad.

Common Toad Bufo bufo

Common Frog Rana temporaria

Colour

Colour

The common toad comes in dull tones e.g. brown through to grey. These colours are beneficial for blending into the background.

The common frog comes in a variety of colours and markings. It has the limited ability to slightly modify its colour to match its background.

Skin

Skin

Its skin is dry, rough and warty.

Its skin is smooth and moist.

Movement

Movement

The toad has a squatter body than the frog. Accompanying this are shorter back legs, this affecting the way it moves. It can only make small weak hops, generally it moves by walking.

The longer and stronger back legs of the frog enable it to make long leaps and makes it a very proficient swimmer. The way frogs move on land is by a series of hops.

Hibernation

Hibernation

Toads hibernate over the winter period, however not under water and not necessarily near a pond. Instead they hibernate on land in dryer conditions. They find a convenient place such as under a rock or old tree trunks.

Frogs hibernate over the winter, at the bottom of ponds in soft mud. When active frogs breath via lungs, but during hibernation this is not possible as they are immersed in water, instead they absorb oxygen through their skin.

Breeding Pattern

Breeding Pattern

In March toads emerge from hibernation. Unlike frogs, toads travel to a pond of their choice.

This can be a distance of over 1km, the route can take them over roads, oblivious to traffic many become roadkill.

As for frogs, males can be seen on the back of females.

In February frogs come out of their hibernation and start congregating in ponds. This is the time of year when frogs are at their most vocal, with the males being the louder.

During the breeding season, males can be seen riding on the backs of the larger females. A male will find a female, get on her back and cling on for dear life.

Spawn

Spawn

The spawn is laid in long strings, over 2 metres in length, with up to 6000 eggs.

The spawn is laid in clusters, containing up to 3000 eggs.

Tadpoles

Both frogs and toads have a tadpole stage, to reach adulthood they have to go through a metamorphism.

On emerging from the egg, the tadpoles have feathery external gills. Internal gills develop and the external gills are absorbed back into the body. Later the tadpoles develop lungs and legs, the hind ones first. The tail is then absorbed into the body, at this point they are small copies of the adults and leave the pond.

The time taken for the tadpoles to develop into small adults can be short as 9 weeks. As toads and frogs are cold blooded, the water temperature of the pond affects the development rate, the lower the temperature the slower the development..

Common toad tadpoles are blacker and smaller than those of the common frog.

Common frog tadpoles are greyish and larger than those of the common toad.

Feeding

Both frogs and toads catch their prey by flicking their tongues at them. Their tongues are sticky making it easier to hold on to their prey. As the prey is swallowed both frogs and toads blink. The prey is mostly small invertebrates.

Toads are nocturnal, mostly feeding on land. At night it is not uncommon to see them feeding in gardens.

Habitat

Habitat

Toads do not need to live near ponds and will thrive in dryer conditions than frogs.

Frogs normally live close to ponds or in very moist areas.

Defensive Strategies

Toads produce a bad smelling and tasting poison in their skin, which helps to deter potential predators.