What is the Difference Between Frogs and Toads?

Spotted a small hopping amphibian near a pond and wondered: Is that a frog or a toad?

They’re two of the most widespread amphibians in the UK - they do share similarities. But there are key differences in appearance, behaviour, and habitat.

It's also interesting to note that technically, all toads are frogs, but not all frogs are toads. This is because “toad” is just a type of frog. They all belong to the same big group of animals called Anura (which means “without a tail”).

Here’s an easy guide to help you identify them, so next time you spot one, you’ll know exactly which it is!

How to Tell the Difference?

Common Frog Appearance

Common Frogs have sleek, smooth, slimy skin that looks wet (even out of water!). Frogs typically also have legs that are longer than their body, which means they are great jumpers and can escape predators quickly.

They are also lean and athletic-looking, with a slim, pointed nose.

Toad Appearance

On the other hand, Toads have bumpy, warty skin that is almost always dry. They have shorter legs that they use for crawling, and a dumpy body shape, with a broad nose.

Key Difference Between a Frog and a Toad

Skin Texture

Skin is one of the easiest ways to tell frogs and toads apart. Frogs have smooth, slimy skin that often looks wet and shiny, even when they’re out of the water. They usually have a yellowish-brown patch just behind their eyes.

Frogs' slimy coating isn’t just for show; it comes from special secretions in their skin, which keep them moist and help them breathe through their skin as well as their lungs.

Toads, on the other hand, have dry, warty, brown skin. Their tougher texture helps them cope with spending more time on land, away from the damp environments that frogs rely on.

Location and Habitat

Where you see them can also be a clue. If you spot a small amphibian sitting on pavement or slowly ambling through long grass, it’s more likely a toad. Toads spend most of their lives away from water in dry conditions, only returning to ponds during the breeding season.

Frogs, however, prefer to stay closer to water all year round. You’ll often find them in or around ponds, streams, and damp gardens, where they can keep their skin moist and stay safe.

Leg Length

Frogs typically have long, powerful hind legs that allow them to leap many times their body length to escape predators. Most frogs move in big, springy jumps and are well-suited for life in and around ponds.

True toads have much shorter legs. They prefer to crawl or make short hops rather than leap. Their slower movement matches their squat, sturdy body shape.

Frog Tadpoles VS Toad Tadpoles

Both animals lay eggs in water, but their spawn look very different. Frog spawn appears in large, gooey clumps that float on the surface of ponds. These jelly-like masses are easy to spot and often cover wide areas of shallow water during the breeding season.

Toad spawn forms in long strings that resemble strands of beads. These strings are usually wrapped around plants or weeds and sit deeper in the water. The difference in appearance makes it quite easy to tell whether you’re looking at frog eggs or toad eggs.

The tadpoles also give useful clues. Frog tadpoles are slimmer in shape and are often speckled with tiny gold flecks, which catch the light in shallow ponds. Toad tadpoles, however, are chunkier, plain black in colour, and tend to grow in deeper water where they are less noticeable to predators.