The Difference Between Frogs and Toads
Frogs and toads have a lot in common. They are both members of the Anura family, (an
order of tailless amphibians). They both reproduce in water, and they look similar.
So how can you tell the difference? Here are some helpful tips.
Frog
Toad
Smooth, moist skin that
makes them look slimy.
Rough, dry, bumpy skin
Slim body type
Stout body type
Long hind legs
Shorter hind legs
Takes long high jumps
Walks and takes small hops
Frog must live near water
to survive
Toads can live at a distance
from water
Long sticky tongue
Shorter tongue that is not
sticky
Lays eggs in clusters
Lays eggs in long strands
Make Your Own Frog Life Cycle
Cut out the pictures and arrows to make a life cycle of a frog. Label your life cycle using
some of these words: Adult frog, tadpole with back legs, froglet, tadpole, frog spawn,
eggs, tadpole with 4 legs.
Frog Life Cycle Spinner Bottom Circle
Attach the two circles with a split pin. Spin the top spinner in a clockwise direction to see
these pictures underneath.
Young frog
Adult frog
Frog Spawn
Froglet
Tadpole with back
legs
Tadpole
Frog Life-cycle Spinner Top circle
Cut out the grey shaded section on the pond circle.
Lay this on top of the frog life-cycle circle and attach the two in the middle using a split pin.
Spin the top circle in a clockwise direction to reveal the picture underneath.
Cut this section out
Frog Life-cycle Spinner
Pond Dipping
(Or river dipping, rock pool dipping)
Health and Safety when pond dipping
• Never allow children to stand unsupervised next to the pond.
• Warn children not to eat berries, mushrooms, nuts etc which they may find in the
vicinity.
• Ensure children eat snacks and lunch only after they have washed hands.
• Make children take all litter home with them.
• Remind children to respect nature and leave the pond as they found it.
• Cover open wounds is very important because of the possibility of infection from
water borne diseases.
Equipment:
1 Net
1 large tray and 1 small tray
1 Spoon
1 Recording template (investigate an animal) with clipboard and pencil.
Camera (optional)
What to do:
• When at the pond site, fill both trays with water. You will only need about 3-4cm in
each. You want the water as clear as possible with no weeds or plants in them.
• Keep the large tray nearby then sweep your net slowly through the pond, the animals
may live at different depths so make sure you sweep the net at the surface of the
water, middle and low to the bottom. (Try not to disturb all the mud at the bottom).
• Take the net to the large tray and turn the net over as close as possible to the water.
Let the water settle and look for any movement.
• The spoon can be used to move interesting things in to the smaller tray to allow for
better identification. Take photo’s of things you find.
• It is important that you DO NOT HANDLE ANY OF THE POND CREATURES.
• When finished carefully return all pond creatures.
Investigate an animal
Does it have legs? (Circle your answer)
No
2,
4,
6,
more
What colour is your animal?
A drawing of my animal
Does it have any markings?
If so what are they like?
Where did you find the animal? (Circle your answer)
• In open water
• On a plant ie leaf, tree, flower, bush, grass
• At the bottom of the water
• On the water surface
• In the air by the water
• Other: Please describe __________________________________________
Does it have any particular features? (Circle your answer)
• A shell
• Fins
• Gills
• Camouflaged covering
• Long legs
• Antenna
• Wings
• Feathers
• Other.......Please describe ________________________________________
Describe how it moves? ___________________________________________
What do you think it eats? __________________________________________