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Frog Prince or Toad Prince?
By: Jessica R. Freeburg
 Once upon a time, a beautiful princess kissed a frog, turning him in to a handsome prince. Or did she kiss a toad? Are frogs and toads the same, or are they different?
Both frogs and toads are amphibians. This means that they can live both on land and in water. In fact, they begin their life in water as tadpoles. Over time, their bodies change to become the bouncy leapsters we see vaulting through the grass and splashing into muddy ponds.
Large, bulging eyes set near the top of their heads allow frogs and toads to see in every direction. These eyes are more than just excellent peepers. They actually help frogs and toads swallow their food by pressing against the roofs of their mouths. This gives the appearance that they are blinking when they eat.
They are generally most active in the evening. The nighttime songs of frogs and toads are springtime lullabies. These rhythmic, gentle trills and chirps are sung only by the males. Choruses of croaking crooners invite the females to find a mate. They truly are nature’s love songs.
As you can see, frogs and toads share many common traits, making it difficult to tell them apart. However, there are a few clues that can help a sharp-eyed, wildlife detective determine which amphibian they are observing. 
The simplest way to tell them apart is by looking at their skin. While a frog’s skin is smooth and slick, a toad’s skin is generally dry and bumpy. This is why they are sometimes referred to as warty old toads.
Frogs tend to have slim bodies with long, lean legs that help them jump high. Toads, on the other hand, have a more squatty appearance with shorter legs. They generally walk or hop. For these reasons, frogs tend to be swift escape artists, but toads are not as quick to avoid the gentle hands of curious explorers.
If you had a chance to look into their mouths, you would probably notice a very distinct difference. Many frogs actually have teeth, while toads have none. It would be difficult to see these tiny chompers unless you were an unlucky insect who’d been snapped up by a long, quick tongue.
 Frogs and toads are more alike than they are different. In fact, it can be said that toads are frogs. It might be impossible to determine for certain which is which simply by looking at them. Generally speaking, our quick, slim friends are frogs and the slow-paced, plump fellows are toads.
So, did the fairy princess kiss a frog or a toad? It is hard to say for certain. Chances are, if she could catch him, it was probably a toad.
Illustration Copyright © 2008 Clipart Creations
Copyright © 2008 by Jessica R. Freeburg |
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