Of Indigenous Frogs and Invasive Toads

What is the difference between a frog and a toad?

Toads are a sub-classification of frogs.

Differentiating between frogs and toads can be challenging, but there are three main characteristics that can aid in identifying these amphibians.

1. Skin:

The easiest way to tell toads apart from other frogs is that toads have a stout body with lumpy glands, commonly called warts, all over their skin. Frogs have a slimmer body with smooth, slimy skin that is generally more colourful than a toad’s.

2. Habitat:

Frogs usually inhabit areas near water, as they need moisture to keep their skin hydrated. They generally breed in freshwater, and you might notice clusters of eggs floating on the surface of a pond or attached to aquatic plants, indicating a nearby frog. In contrast, many toads are less dependent on close water sources, as their skin is better adapted to retain moisture. If you’re in an area without a pond, lake, or stream, it’s likely that you are encountering a toad.

3. Legs:

Examining the legs can also help in identification.  Frogs typically have long hind legs relative to their body size, which facilitates powerful leaps and swift swimming. Conversely, toads usually have shorter, squat hind legs, making them appear rounder and often leading to a more crawling or small-hopping movement.

Despite their similarities, frogs and toads both belong to the tailless amphibians of the order Anura. The distinctions traditionally used to separate them are largely superficial.  

While the three features we have listed may help most times, there is no sure-fire way to distinguish between frogs and toads.

Let’s take a look at two common amphibians found throughout South Africa, the Platanna or Clawed African Frog, and the Guttural Toad.

Platannas, Xenopus laevis

These “flat frogs” are typically found in natural water bodies, but you may also encounter them in your garden pond or even in local sewage facilities. At the end of the rainy season, they burrow into wet mud to hibernate until the next rains arrive.

Commonly known as African clawed frogs, they have a flat, rounded body that can grow to nearly 15cms long and broad, flattened head.   The eyes are towards the top of the head, allowing sight while mostly submerged.  They have strong back legs well adapted to swimming with sharp claws on three of their toes, and webbing between the toes of the front feet.  They capture prey with their mouths and utilize an overhead “kick” from their powerful legs to tear it apart. 

Platannas are fully aquatic, feeding on a variety of living creatures they can overpower while in the water.  This includes frogs, tadpoles (including those of their own species), insects, and other invertebrates (with young frogs consuming mosquito larvae), as well as small fish, young birds, and mice that accidentally fall into the water. They are also known to scavenge on carrion found in aquatic environments.

In the 1930s, researchers discovered that female common platannas would spawn when injected with the urine of a pregnant woman, due to the presence of the hormone chorionic gonadotropin. This finding led to the use of platannas in pregnancy testing during the 1940s and ’50s, prompting many hospitals worldwide to breed and maintain them for this purpose.

In terms of size, females can reach lengths of up to 12 cm for body and head combined, while males can grow to approximately 9 cm. Their coloration features buffish-brown skin adorned with dark brown markings, including two pairs of spots between the eyes forming a cross-shaped pattern, and often a pale stripe along the spine. A distinctive red patch is also visible on the backs of their thighs, and their toes have only slight webbing.

Guttural toads inhabit a range of environments, including savannahs, grasslands, and even urban areas. The two photographs above were taken in White River in February 2025.  Note the red patches in the right image. Breeding begins with the first heavy rains, with about 25,000 eggs being laid, wrapped around aquatic vegetation in small permanent water bodies.