Content

• Steps
• Warning

Toads and frogs may look alike, but they are quite different. They have different appearance, like skin, color, and shape. Their behavior is also different. Frogs need to stay close to water, while toads do not. Frogs also tend to jump higher than toads. If you pay attention to the details, you will know how to distinguish between a toad and a frog.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Understanding superficial signs

1. 

   Look at the hind legs. You can distinguish a toad from a frog by the length of the leg. If you can get closer to them, take a closer look, especially on their hind legs.
   • The frogs' hind legs are very long, as they jump more than toads. Frog hind legs are larger than their heads and bodies.
   • The hind legs of the toads are smaller because they tend to crawl. Their hind legs are shorter than the head and body.

2. 

   
   
   Examination of the foot. Frog feet are webbed because they spend most of their time living in water. The hind legs of frogs often have webs, and some frogs have membranes on the fore legs. You can see the adhesive pads on their feet. Toad feet are usually without membranes and pads.

3. 

   
   
   Consider the shape. Frog body tends to be slim and athletic. On the contrary, I'm shorter and fatter.
   • Slender amphibians with long legs are likely frogs.
   • A short, fat amphibian with smaller legs may be toads.

4. 

   
   
   Pay attention to the skin. Frog skin is much smoother than toad skin. The toad skin is often rough. While the frog skin is slippery and wet, the toad's skin looks like it is covered with a layer of warts.

5. 

   Observe the colors. Usually, frogs are paler in color than toads. Their color tends to be greener. Although the toad skin is also slightly greenish, it is still darker overall than frogs.
   • The toad's skin color comes in many shades ranging from dark green to olive green.
   • Meanwhile, the frog skin color is more yellow, lighter in the blue band. The skin of the frog can be olive yellow.
   • However, don't just rely on color to distinguish it. Always consider other factors as some frogs are greenish brown in color.
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Method 2 of 3: Review of behavior

1. 

   Watch the animal while jumping. Both frogs and toads jumped. However, the frog jumps more and is much higher.
   • Frogs have very high and long jumps.
   • Toads have short jumps and lack the ability to jump long distances.

2. 

   Notice if the animal has cows. Toads often crawl more than jump. Cows are the main type of toad movement. You will rarely see frogs crawling. A crawling animal is most likely a toad.
   • Always consider other factors such as an injured frog that could have to crawl.

3. 

   Examine where you found the animal. Frogs need to stay close to water to survive, while frogs most of the time in places where there is no water. An animal living near water is likely a frog. If you see the animal out of the water, it's likely a toad. Frogs rarely go far from the water. advertisement

Method 3 of 3: Avoid problems with frogs and toads

1. 

   Reduce light to limit frog noise. Frogs can make a lot of noise at night, especially when they're foraging. Insect-eating frogs and bright light can attract insects towards your home. Light also causes frogs to gather in your back yard.
   • Turn off things like patio lights at night.
   • You can also pull the curtains down at night to limit the indoor lights that attract insects.

2. 

   Keep your dog away from frogs and toads. Some frogs and toads can be toxic to dogs. If a dog grabs the snout, toxins can be released that are toxic to it. If you find your dog grabs a toad, get it to the vet immediately. This is a medical emergency.
   • Symptoms of toad poisoning include excessive drooling, scratching in the eyes or mouth, convulsions, difficulty breathing, and unsteadiness of movement.
   • If your pets have any of the above symptoms, they need immediate care.

3. 

   Wash your hands after handling a frog or toad. In general, should not be handled by wild species. However, if you have touched a frog or toad, wash your hands immediately.
   • If a child catches a frog or toad, be sure to wash your hands.

4. 

   Wild frogs and toads should not be captured as pets. It's never a good idea to get wild animals as pets. Frogs and toads in the wild are not kept in captivity and will be difficult to adapt to when captured. They can also carry diseases. If you want to keep frogs or toads, buy them from your local pet store.

5. 

   Take proper care of a toad or a pet. Pet stores sell frogs and toads to keep. If you want to buy frogs or toads to keep, make sure you take care of them properly. Give them the right environment and shelter.
   • You will have to clean the frog or toad tank every day. An unclean tank can pose a serious health risk to frogs or toads.
   • Frogs and toads need a variety of diets. You can buy pet store food, including crickets and worms, but you should also feed them a variety of other insects to keep them alive. You need to feed frogs or toads with things like grasshoppers, snails, and worms.
   • Avoid touching pets that are reptiles or amphibians. Even animals purchased from a pet store can carry germs. Wash your hands after touching them, do not wash their pens in the bathroom or kitchen, and do not kiss or pet frogs or toads.
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Warning

• Some frogs and toads can carry toxins. Check with your local Department of Natural Resources office to find out which amphibians are potentially poisonous in your area.