Frog and Toad

[science_spot]

This cute children's book is one of my daughter's favorite readers.  They remind me of an old British couple, like the ones on Canadian soap operas on PBS.   Delightful couple!

The image above is owned by Arnold Lobel (illustrator of Frog and Toad).

It is incredible to me that I have never been asked the difference between a frog and a toad.  We have caught both frogs and toads in our travels around town, but never at the same time.  Lucky me, getting the answer before getting the question. 

 

What is the difference between a frog and a toad? 

According to our classification system, toads are a type of frog.  Frogs are classified as Kingdom Animalia, Phylum Chordata, Class Amphibia and Order Anura.  All frogs and toads fall in this order.  All the species are further divided into families, one of which is Bufanidae (true toads). 

In general, frogs tend to live in aquatic areas and toads in terrestrial areas.  We often find frogs in the ditches and ponds and toads in our open lawn or under rocks.  Frogs have smooth skin, often green, but many have bright colors.  Toads have warted skin, usually brown or greyish.  If you consider where each lives, you can understand how their coloring and texture provide camouflage, unique to there surroundings.  

In addition to the few differences between frogs and toads, there are many similarites, such as their diet, their amphibian lifestyle and basic body shape.  Below is a frog picture on the left and a toad picture on the right (both pictures in the public domain courtesy of Wikipedia).

 

 

Fun stuff to explore (with or without your kids):

Frog Calls Database - listen to various frog vocalizations!

Virtual Frog Dissection

Frog Life Cycle

 

Tonya

The Science Spot (for moms)

It's not Just the Science (a blog about science at my house)

 

[Blessone29]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:36 AM

Very Interesting...

[arthistmom]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 1:09 AM

We LOVE the Frog and Toad books!

[mommieof4girlz]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 10:03 AM

THANK YOU!!  cool.  i grew up on frog and toad. 

today its a blizzard outside we will check this out  =)

[Lindalu2]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 11:56 AM

Cool! We went to the Minneapolis Childrens' Theater production of Frog and Toad and loved it. We being my daughter, grandkids and I. Love it!

[Serenity75]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:15 PM

My son loves reading Frog and Toad.  He just saw a play of it at our local theatre with his class, too.  He was super excited and loved it!

[science_spot]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 12:50 PM

Wow I had no idea those two were so popular :)

(Original Poster)

[Pollymom]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 3:16 PM

Oh I love those stories! I have all the books. I used to love reading about Frog & Toad when I was a kid. I also happen to love real frogs and toads...LOL

[thekayk]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 3:34 PM

I grew up with frog & toad I forgot about it thanx for bringing the memories back

[AmaliaD]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 5:29 PM

i have those in my tutoring office.   most first graders seem to easily read them.  and the format is like a chapter book so they like that about it.  i also own a toad...

[parrishsky]

Feb. 10, 2010 at 5:49 PM

Have always loved that book and we always visited the frogs and toads during our trips to the Academy of Sciences...