Comparison

Frog vs Toad

Two amphibians that look alike but behave very differently.

12 October 2026

Subject AFrog

Smooth-skinned, and at home in water.

Warty-skinned, and mostly found on land.

Comparison of Frog and Toad
Point	Frog	Toad
Skin	Smooth, moist and often brightly patterned.	Dry, rough and covered in small wart-like glands.
Body shape	Lean and streamlined, built for jumping and swimming.	Squatter and rounder, with shorter hind legs.
Habitat	Usually close to water, and strong swimmers.	Spend more time on land and only return to water to breed.
Parasites	Usually free of them.	Often carries parasites, which is why they are not eaten in some cultures.
Toe pads	Rounded pads on the tips of the toes for gripping.	Toe tips are usually blunt, with no distinct pads.

Skin
Frog
Smooth, moist and often brightly patterned.
Toad
Dry, rough and covered in small wart-like glands.
Body shape
Frog
Lean and streamlined, built for jumping and swimming.
Toad
Squatter and rounder, with shorter hind legs.
Habitat
Frog
Usually close to water, and strong swimmers.
Toad
Spend more time on land and only return to water to breed.
Parasites
Frog
Usually free of them.
Toad
Often carries parasites, which is why they are not eaten in some cultures.
Toe pads
Frog
Rounded pads on the tips of the toes for gripping.
Toad
Toe tips are usually blunt, with no distinct pads.