Did you know there are 30 different species of frogs and toads in Texas? The problem I have, however, is telling the difference between a frog and a toad. Can you tell the difference?

First, let’s explore the similarities. Both frogs and toads are members of the amphibian class. Both have short bodies, two hind legs, two front arms and a wide head. Both frogs and toads are carnivorous and eat worms, insects, slugs, spiders and small fish. Toads may also eat dog food left outside. They catch their prey with their long, sticky tongues. Females lay their eggs close to water or actually in the water and the males fertilize them.

 DIFFERENCES:

• If you look at the hind legs, you’ll notice the frog has very long legs. They need longer legs because they hop more and higher than toads. Toads tend to crawl more. They can hop but they can’t hop very high or very far.
• The frog spends most of its time in the water so it has webbed back feet. Sometimes the front feet are webbed as well.
• Toads have a chubbier appearance than frogs.
• The skin of the frog is much smoother. A toad’s skin will be bumpy and the bumps resemble warts.
• The coloring between frogs and toads is different. Frogs are a bright green or a yellow-olive in color. Toads are a dark green to an olive green in color. Make sure you don’t rely solely on coloring when trying to identify an animal though because there are some brownish green frogs.
• Frogs spend the majority of their time near water and rarely venture very far away from a water source.

During breeding season, frogs can be incredibly noisy. If you have security lights around your home, these lights will attract insects which will in turn attract frogs who want to eat them. If the noise bothers you, turn out the lights.

If you have pets, don’t allow them to play with toads. When toads are threatened or bitten, they use the same defense mechanism as a skunk. The skin lets out a bitter taste and odor that burns the eyes and nostrils. It is highly toxic to pets and can cause death if left untreated. Humans, however, are not affected by a toad’s toxin. If your pet has been outside and you notice it pawing at its mouth or eyes, crying or whimpering, it may have encountered a toad. Other signs to look for:

• Excessive drooling
• Seizures
• Yellow vomit
• Diarrhea
• Dilated pupils
• Irregular heartbeat
• Foaming at the mouth
• Hyperthermia
• Collapse
• Difficulty breathing

If you think your pet has had an encounter with a toad, contact your veterinarian immediately.

For other helpful information, check out the blog on the TWRC Wildlife Center website. www.twrcwildlifecenter.org