{"id":42677,"date":"2024-10-13T15:15:17","date_gmt":"2024-10-13T13:15:17","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/32a55645-b037-4fc4-a9ba-121c6a3f0b3b"},"modified":"2024-10-13T16:28:56","modified_gmt":"2024-10-13T14:28:56","slug":"toad-vs-frog-how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-common-frog-and-a-common-toad","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/toad-vs-frog-how-to-tell-the-difference-between-a-common-frog-and-a-common-toad\/","title":{"rendered":"Toad vs frog: How to tell the difference between a common frog and a common toad"},"content":{"rendered":"

Two of the UK’s most familiar and widespread amphibian species are the common frog and the common toad, but do you know how to tell them apart? <\/p>

By <\/p>

Published: Sunday, 13 October 2024 at 13:15 PM<\/p>

\n\n

In early spring, both frogs and toads spawn in shallow water, but at other times, either may be found away from ponds, in long grass or sheltering under stones and logs, but how can you tell the difference?.<\/strong><\/p>

Did the saying ‘frog in my throat’ come from the ancient practice of putting a frog in your mouth to treat a throat infection?<\/a><\/li>
Meet the weirdest and strangest frogs you (probably) never heard of – or imagined existed, from ultrasonic screamers, and the hairy to a frog that can fly…<\/a><\/li><\/ul>
How to tell the difference between the common toad and the common frog<\/h2>
Both tend to be more active at night and avoid sunshine.<\/p>
Toads can cope better with dry conditions, whereas frogs are rarely seen away from damp areas.<\/p>
How to identify the common frog<\/a><\/h2>
Scientific name: <\/strong>Rana temporaria<\/em><\/p>
Common frog in a UK pond. \u00a9 Creative Nature Media\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Skin:<\/strong> Smooth and moist. Their skin is thin and used for respiration. It loses water easily, so frogs need to stay in damp places.<\/p>
Colour:<\/strong> Highly variable \u2013 anything from olive-yellow to grey-brown<\/p>
Nose:<\/strong> Pointed<\/p>
Hindlegs:<\/strong> Longer than head and body<\/p>
Shape:<\/strong> A sleek, athletic-looking creature<\/p>
$\"Common$
Common frog (Rana temporaria) with its mouth open. \u00a9 Jens Gade\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
How does it move? <\/strong>Often jumps and rarely crawls; its leap can be longer than its body length.<\/p>
Is it poisonous?<\/strong> No. Many predators eat frogs \u2013 foxes, owls, herons and polecats, to name but a few.<\/p>
Where is it found?<\/strong> All over mainland Britain and Ireland, though scarce or absent in mountains. They are common in gardens, but scarcer in the countryside due to pesticides and land drainage.<\/p>
Plus:<\/strong> Takes about three years to reach full adult size.<\/p>
Learn more about frogs in the UK:<\/h4>Common frog guide<\/a><\/li>
How to rear froglets<\/a><\/li>
Pool frog guide<\/a><\/li>
Marsh frog guide<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
How to identify the common toad<\/h2>
Scientific name:<\/strong> Bufo bufo<\/em><\/p>
$\"A$ A common toad. \u00a9 Alasdair James\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Nose:<\/strong> Rounded, almost semi-circular<\/p>
Markings:<\/strong> No dark streak behind eye<\/p>
Colour: <\/strong>Varies from olive-brown to green<\/p>
Skin:<\/strong> Warty and dry. Their skin is more waterproof than frogs\u2019, so toads can survive in drier places.<\/p>
$\"Common$
Common toad sat in a clay flower pot. \u00a9 Mark Hamblin\/Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Shape: <\/strong>Rather dumpy and not athletic<\/p>
Hindlegs: <\/strong>Shorter than head and body<\/p>
How does it move? <\/strong>Usually crawls. If it jumps at all, it will be less than the length of its body.<\/p>
Is it poisonous?<\/strong> Yes. Prominent raised glands on its shoulders and neck exude a mild poison, while skin glands are distasteful to predators.<\/p>
Where is it found<\/strong>? All over mainland Britain, but not in Ireland or mountains. Common in gardens and countryside, including woodland. Found up to 2km from nearest breeding pond. Presence of fish in ponds does not deter them.<\/p>
$\"Common$ Common toad in the Lake District. \u00a9 Matt Staniek<\/figcaption><\/figure>
Learn more about toads in the UK: <\/h4>
Natterjack toad guide<\/a><\/li>
How do warm winters affect hibernating toads?<\/a><\/li>
What triggers toads to migrate in spring?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>
Main image: Common frog. \u00a9 Mike Lane\/Getty<\/em><\/p> <\/body><\/html>\n
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