Frogs and toads are terms that originated in the United Kingdom to describe their frog diversity. In this part of the world, it is a simple difference. They have a frog and a toad species. So, the description of a typical "frog" and "toad" is regional. Toads are a type of frog and in many tropical areas Toad Family members look like a typical frog, with thin skin and live in moist habitats.

They squeeze their lungs with their nostrils and mouth shut. Air flows over their vocal chords and into their vocal sacs located on their throat, which then blow up like balloons. There are some frogs that can make noises without vocal sacs.

Toads and frogs are attracted to damp gardens and ponds. Leave shelved edges along pond edges with pond lilys and plants such as marsh marigold. Piles of logs or bricks are good for amphibians to spend hot days and attract insects for them to feed on.

No. As tadpoles, frogs and toads can be both herbivores (plant eating) and carnivores (meat eating). As adults, frogs and toads are carnivores, eating insects. But, not all frogs and toads eat only insects. The Spiny Reed frog is an african frog that is known to prey on the eggs of members of its own species. This is called heterocannibalism. Click here for more information on the Spiny Reed frog.

of 1994, there are 3,500 species of the order Anura (frogs and toads) of which 80 species are found in the United States. In Minnesota there are 14 native species of Anura.

Not successfully. Some males are nonselective of mates and will mount other males, which will give a warning noise for the other to release its grasp.

Depending on the species, between 2 to 40 years! The average age for a frog or toad is about 4 to 15 years.

Frogs and toads will sit very still with their eyes closed. The assumption is that they are asleep, but it is not clear how long they sleep per day.

Most frogs and toads breathe (and take in moisture) through their skin through a process called cutaneous gas exchange, but they also have lungs with which they breathe.

There are a number of frogs and toads that can change color, depending on the temperature or substrate. In the US the best known example is the Gray Tree Frogs which regularly change from bright green to gray. For more information check Mattison's Frogs and Toads of the World.

Yes, one of the few characteristics that the three living orders of amphibians (frogs, toads, etc) share is 'jointed' or 'hinged' teeth.

There are historical accounts of frogs falling from the sky, but these events are accompanied by terrific wind storms. Click here for more information.

Whenever trying to I.D. frogs and toads, take a look at pictures and descriptions in various sources (field guides, web sites, encyclopedia, etc.). Since there can be a lot of color or pattern variation in some species, viewing a lot of different photos will may help you to see the variety. Also, read about other characteristics besides color. Often, these other characteristics are more reliable for identifying the species than its color.

Yes. During Minnesota winters the frogs and toads become dormant, hibernating either in the aquatic vegetation of lakes and ponds, under the water, or under leaf litter on the ground. For example, the Northern Leopard Frog and the Mink Frog will spend the winter swimming slowly under the ice, in the water of lakes, ponds and streams. The Wood Frog and the Spring Peeper can withstand partial freezing of body fluids buried under leaf little on the woodland floor.

Different species of frogs and toads have different ways of reducing water loss. Most frogs and toads live in habitats that provide access to some sort of water body. The frogs and toads will then spend time in the water 'replenishing' any water they have lost. However, there are some frogs and toads that have unique methods of dealing with water loss. For example, the Water-holding Frog from South Australia lives in the desert and spends most if its time underground.

Bloom refers to the slow rising of "essential oils" to the surface of a cigar. It first shows up as tiny (almost microscopic) crystals on the surface, and can eventually make a cigar look slightly "dusty" with a whitish finish on the surface. Not only is it harmless, some prefer to see a little bloom, as an indication of strong taste. Mold OTOH, is (ick!) a fungus, growing on overly humidified stogies.

I can't stress this enough! Definitely some species do ok together, but in many cases this can have deadly consequences! One visitor wrote me with an anecdote about having a Firebellied Toad and a Pac Man Frog in the same tank.

Because colds and flu share many symptoms, it can be difficult (or even impossible) to tell the difference between them based on symptoms alone. Special tests that usually must be done within the first few days of illness can be carried out, when needed to tell if a person has the flu.

Although there are slight differences in body conformity, finclips are used to positively identify the strains of steelhead. This is why all steelhead stocked into Root and Kewaunee Rivers (brood streams) are finclipped. Knowing the strain of the fish prevents breeding of one strain with another.

The very first night you hear them calling, grab a flashlight and head for the sound. There will be more out there than you and the amphibians, so watch for rattlesnakes. You'll probably end up at a temporary rain pond. Now the real fun begins. You have to catch one. If you had a deprived childhood and never learned frog-catching skills, this may take a while. Hint: sometimes it helps to shine your flashlight in their faces.