Toad vs. Frog: Differences in Anatomy, Habitat and More – Animals | HowStuffWorks

At first glance, toads and frogs appear similar, but a closer look reveals they differ significantly in the following areas.

Toads have dry, bumpy skin, whereas frogs have generally smooth or slimy skin. The uneven, warty texture helps protect a toad from dehydration and also serves as camouflage. Some toads even have glands on their skin that secrete toxins as self-defense.

In contrast, frogs' smooth, moist skin helps them thrive both in the water and on dry land. One benefit to having such smooth skin is it makes it easier to absorb oxygen over their entire surface area, helping them adapt to life in and around bodies of water.

Frogs have long hind legs, specifically designed for leaping and swimming, while toads tend to have stubby, short hind legs better suited for navigating short distances on land. With their characteristic hopping movements, frogs can cover significant distances and make it look effortless.

Toads, on the other hand, require just short hops since they generally need to cover less ground.

Toads' eyes bulge more than frogs' eyes do. This makes sense, given that toads need to be better at spotting prey on land. With eyes that sit higher on their heads, they gain the ability to survey their surroundings more efficiently.

Frogs, with their sleeker and slightly more recessed eyes, are better suited for a dual existence on land and in the water, where having a streamlined body can be a plus.

Both frogs and toads can display a range of colors; however, frogs tend to be more colorful. Toads come in browns, greens and grays. Combined with their warty texture, these earthy colors allow them to blend seamlessly into fields and forests so they can avoid predators.

Frogs may exhibit more vibrant hues, including green, yellow, orange, blue, purple and other shades. The purpose of such intense colors is twofold: to attract a mate, and to warn predators of their toxicity.

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Toad vs. Frog: Differences in Anatomy, Habitat and More - Animals | HowStuffWorks

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