Squeaks and I are looking for critters in our backyard!
And I know Squeaks gets really excited when we see an animal that’s small, shiny, and
hoppy.
Do you know what I’m talking about?
That’s right!
A frog!
We love finding frogs.
And sometimes we come across another cool creature that looks a lot like a frog.
Can you guess what it is?
That’s right!
A toad!
Frogs and toads have a lot in common -- actually, toads are a special type of frog.
But the two animals are pretty different from each other, in ways that are easy to spot!
I’m sure that, by the end of this, you’ll be able to spot the difference like a pro!
To tell a frog from a toad, start by giving the creature a close look.
First, have a look at its skin!
A frog’s skin looks shiny and smooth.
But a toad’s skin is thicker, drier-looking, and bumpier.
Take a look at all those bumps!
While you’re looking closely try and see if you can spot two large bumps on the top
of their head behind their eyes.
These are called paratoid glands and only toads have them.
They are filled with poison that helps them from becoming another animal’s lunch!
The difference in skin and the bumps are pretty easy ways to tell the difference.
But there’s another way to tell these two apart, although it might be harder to see:
their teeth!
If you could look into their mouths, you’d see that some frogs have small teeth on the
tops of their mouths, but toads don’t.
Frogs and toads eat the same things: They’re both carnivores, meaning they eat other animals
-- usually stuff like bugs and slugs -- and they swallow their food whole.
So frogs that have teeth don’t use them to chew their food -- they’re only there
to hold their prey in place before the frog can gulp it down.
So frogs have tiny teeth, and toads don’t.
How else are they different?
Well, we can also tell frogs and toads apart by the way they behave, or act.
These two animals often move differently: Frogs usually take big leaps, while toads
often make smaller hops or just walk.
This is another easy way to tell them apart, because sometimes when you try to get close
to a frog or toad, they’ll quickly jump, hop, or walk away!
So keep an eye on how they move!
And even if it’s not moving, have a look at its legs!
Since toads are built to take smaller steps, they usually have shorter legs.
But frogs tend to have long legs that are perfect for leaping!
Now, since you’re already out there looking for these animals, here’s another trick
to help you figure out who is who: Be sure to notice what kind of a place the animal
is in.
Are you near water?
Then you might have found a frog!
Frogs like to stay very close to water.
Some frogs, like bullfrogs and green frogs, spend almost all their time in water.
But toads will wander away from the water.
They’re happy to live on dry land, at least until it’s time to lay their eggs.
That’s because both frogs and toads lay their eggs in the water, where little tadpoles
hatch out of the eggs!
But frogs and toads arrange their eggs differently.
Frogs usually lay their eggs in a big bunch, or a pile.
But toads lay their eggs in a chain, or a line.
So, you can tell frogs and toads apart by looking at their skin, their poison glands,
and their teeth--if you can see them!--Also, the way they move, where they live, and how
they lay their eggs.
Cool!
Now: are you ready to play frog or toad?
Great!
Take a look at this picture.
So cute!
But which do you think it is?
Remember the things we said to look out for?
Let’s take a look at his skin.
It isn’t very bumpy, and it looks kind of shiny.
That’s a point for frog!
It also has pretty long back legs--it looks like it could do some serious leaping!
We can’t see its teeth or where exactly it is.
But my guess is that this is a frog.
And that’s right!
It’s a red eyed tree frog!
They live in super wet rainforests throughout Central America.
OK let’s try another one!
How about this?
Whoa!
This guy has some some seriously bumpy skin!
And you can kind of see where he is: it looks like he’s sitting on a rock, with some hills
in the background.
It doesn’t look like a very watery place.
I’m guessing… this is… a toad!
Yep!
It’s a European green toad!
They can live in mountains, grasslands, and even in cities!
Alright, let’s try a trickier one.
Check out this picture.
The skin looks pretty smooth.
And do you see all of those little black dots?
Those are her eggs!
They seem like they’re in a big pile, not in a long chain.
It looks like a frog to me!
And it is!
It’s a species of frog that lives in the northeastern United States.
Now, get out there and explore!
And become a frog and toad-spotting pro!
What kind of animals can you find where you live?
Do you have any frogs or toads?
Grab a grown-up and let us know in the comments below, or send us an email at kids@thescishow.com
And I’ll see you next time!