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What is the difference between a frog and a toad? |
by Brian Griffin (whyzz writer) >> more about the author
Frogs and toads look similar and are actually pretty closely related. They are both amphibians, which are animals that live part of their life in water and part of their life out of water! There are still plenty of differences though, so you can tell them apart!
Frogs spend a lot of time in and near water. They have to! Their slippery and wet skin takes in water and oxygen that their bodies need. Toads have bumpy, dry skin and usually only enter the water to lay their eggs. The rest of their lives are usually spent on land. You might even find some in your yard!
Frogs also tend to have bulging eyes that stick out of their heads, while toads have eyes that rest more inside their heads, like ours. Another difference is that when frogs move, they tend to take big leaps, while toads use short hops or steps to move around.
Leaping to conclusions
There are a lot of myths about frogs and toads. One is that if you touch a toad’s bumpy skin, you’ll get warts on your skin! It’s not true. Toads can’t give you warts. Toads’ skin actually does something pretty cool. It releases a special chemical that makes toads taste terrible so animals don’t try to eat them! The bad tasting chemical actually a type of poison, so don’t go taste it yourself!
Frogs won’t give you warts either. They also won’t turn into a prince if you kiss them!
Frogs spend a lot of time in and near water. They have to! Their slippery and wet skin takes in water and oxygen that their bodies need. Toads have bumpy, dry skin and usually only enter the water to lay their eggs. The rest of their lives are usually spent on land. You might even find some in your yard!
Frogs also tend to have bulging eyes that stick out of their heads, while toads have eyes that rest more inside their heads, like ours. Another difference is that when frogs move, they tend to take big leaps, while toads use short hops or steps to move around.
Leaping to conclusions
There are a lot of myths about frogs and toads. One is that if you touch a toad’s bumpy skin, you’ll get warts on your skin! It’s not true. Toads can’t give you warts. Toads’ skin actually does something pretty cool. It releases a special chemical that makes toads taste terrible so animals don’t try to eat them! The bad tasting chemical actually a type of poison, so don’t go taste it yourself!
Frogs won’t give you warts either. They also won’t turn into a prince if you kiss them!