Are frogs and toads the same animal?

No, they are separate families within the same order, Anura, distinguished by skin texture, body shape, and habitat preferences.

Which is better for a beginner, keeping a frog or a toad?

Toads are better for beginners because they tolerate drier conditions and handling better than most delicate frog species.

What is the cost difference between owning a frog and a toad?

Toads are cheaper to own because they need a simpler terrarium and less expensive insects than exotic frogs that require specialized humidity setups.

Are toads dangerous to humans or pets?

Most toads are safe, but some species secrete bufotoxin, which can irritate skin or harm small pets if ingested.

Can frogs and toads live together in the same tank?

No, they should not live together because their different humidity needs and skin toxins can cause stress, illness, or death.

What is the most common beginner mistake when caring for a frog or a toad?

The most common mistake is using tap water, which contains chlorine and chloramines that harm the sensitive skin of both frogs and toads.

Can I use a frog habitat for a toad instead?

Yes, you can use a frog habitat for a toad, but you must reduce the humidity and add a dry land area to match toad needs.

Are frogs and toads interchangeable in a garden pest-control role?

Yes, both frogs and toads are interchangeable for garden pest control because they both eat large quantities of insects, slugs, and worms.

Can I switch my pet from a frog to a toad without changing the enclosure?

No, you cannot switch without changing the enclosure because toads need a drier substrate and lower humidity than aquatic frogs require.

Difference Between

Difference Between Frog and Toad

Written byNex Virox Team

Editorial Team

Reviewed byVarshal Nirbhavane

Senior SEO & Organic Growth Professional · 5+ years

Published: August 25, 202619 min read

Quick answer

The main difference between Frog and Toad is that frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for jumping, while toads have dry, warty skin and shorter legs for walking. Frog is an amphibian with smooth skin and webbed feet, while Toad is an amphibian with bumpy skin and shorter hind legs.

Key takeaways

Skin texture: Frogs have smooth, moist skin, while toads have dry, bumpy, warty skin.
Body shape: Frogs possess slender bodies and long legs for jumping, whereas toads have squat bodies.
Habitat preference: Frogs stay near water sources, but toads thrive in drier, terrestrial environments like gardens.
Egg appearance: Frogs lay eggs in large clusters; toads lay eggs in distinctive long, double-stranded chains.
Movement style: Frogs leap long distances, while toads typically crawl or take short hops instead.

Table of Contents18 sections

Difference Between Frog and Toad: Comparison Table

Aspect	Frog	Toad
Definition	An amphibian in the order Anura with smooth, moist skin and long legs built for jumping.	An amphibian in the order Anura with dry, warty skin and shorter hind legs built for walking.
Primary Habitat	Stays near permanent water bodies like ponds, lakes, and streams where skin stays moist.	Roams drier terrestrial environments, including gardens, forests, and grasslands, far from standing water.
Skin Texture	Smooth, moist, and often glossy because mucous glands keep the surface wet and slippery.	Dry, rough, and covered with wart-like bumps that are actually glands, not true warts.
Moisture Dependence	Requires constant moisture and dies quickly if skin dries out due to high water loss.	Tolerates drier conditions because thicker skin reduces water loss and allows longer land stays.
Body Shape	Slender, narrow waist, and long legs that fold tightly for powerful leaps and agile swimming.	Stout, wide body with short legs and a squat posture adapted for crawling rather than leaping.
Egg Clutch Shape	Lays eggs in large, gelatinous clumps or masses that float together on the pond surface.	Lays eggs in long, coiled strings that wrap around aquatic plants, often in shallow water.
Egg Count	Releases thousands of eggs per clutch, often 3,000 to 10,000, depending on species size.	Produces fewer eggs per string, typically 2,000 to 6,000, but still a high number annually.
Tadpole Appearance	Tadpoles are slender, smooth-bodied, and often stay free-swimming in open water columns.	Tadpoles are chunky, dark-coloured, and often aggregate in shallow, warm water near edges.
Jumping Ability	Leaps long distances, often 10 to 20 times its body length, using powerful thigh muscles.	Hops short distances, usually 1 to 2 times its body length, because legs are shorter.
Movement Style	Primarily leaps and bounds, with occasional swimming, using a coordinated extension of both legs.	Walks or hops slowly, moving one leg at a time, and rarely performs sustained leaps.
Skin Toxicity	Secretes mild toxins from skin glands, but these are rarely harmful to humans or predators.	Produces stronger bufotoxin from parotoid glands, which can irritate skin and deter predators.
Parotoid Glands	Lacks prominent parotoid glands, and any skin glands are spread diffusely across the body.	Has visible parotoid glands behind the eyes that secrete a milky, bitter-tasting toxin.
Vision Type	Has large, bulging eyes with excellent colour vision and wide field to spot prey.	Has smaller, more protuberant eyes, but still with good low-light vision for nocturnal hunting.
Eyes Position	Eyes sit high on the head, allowing the frog to see above water while submerged.	Eyes sit lower on the skull, giving a flatter profile and a more terrestrial gaze.
Hearing Mechanism	Possesses a visible tympanum, a circular eardrum, that is often larger than the eye.	Has a tympanic membrane, but it is often less distinct and may be partially hidden by skin.
Vocalisation	Produces loud, musical calls using a large vocal sac that amplifies sound across water.	Makes shorter, harsher trills or chirps, often with a less resonant and quieter tone.
Activity Period	Often diurnal, active during the day, especially in wet, shaded environments near water.	Mostly nocturnal, hunting at night to avoid dry heat and daytime predators.
Hibernation	Hibernates underwater, buried in mud, or in leaf litter, slowing metabolism to survive winter.	Hibernates on land, digging deep into soil or under logs, to escape freezing temperatures.
Diet Type	Eats insects, worms, and small fish, using a sticky tongue to catch moving prey rapidly.	Consumes insects, slugs, and worms, and will also eat small rodents or snakes opportunistically.
Feeding Speed	Strikes with a fast, sticky tongue projection that snaps back in under a second.	Feeds slower, using a shorter tongue, and often waits for prey to come closer before striking.
Skin Permeability	Highly permeable skin absorbs water and oxygen directly, but also loses moisture quickly.	Less permeable, thicker skin reduces water loss, but still absorbs oxygen through it.
Lifespan	Lives 4 to 15 years in the wild, with some captive species reaching 20 years.	Lives 10 to 40 years in captivity, and some wild toads survive over 20 years.
Reproduction Site	Breeds exclusively in water, laying eggs in ponds, lakes, or slow streams with aquatic plants.	Breeds in water but often returns to the same pond or pool, sometimes after long land migrations.
Camouflage	Uses green, brown, or grey colours that blend with water plants and wet surfaces.	Uses earthy browns, tans, and dark spots to match soil, bark, and leaf litter.
Climbing Ability	Many species climb trees or vegetation using sticky toe pads, especially tree frogs.	Mostly ground-dwelling, and lacks toe pads, so it cannot climb smooth vertical surfaces.
Defence Behaviour	Flees by leaping into water, and may puff up its body to appear larger to a threat.	Freezes, or secretes toxins, and often urinates to startle a predator when grabbed.
Conservation Status	Many frog species face population declines due to chytrid fungus and habitat loss.	Toads are generally more resilient, but some species are also threatened by habitat destruction.
Common Examples	Includes the American bullfrog, red-eyed tree frog, and the common frog of Europe.	Includes the American toad, the cane toad, and the European common toad.
Typical Users	Studied by herpetologists and kept as pets by hobbyists who maintain aquatic terrariums.	Kept by pet owners who prefer a low-maintenance, terrestrial setup with less water.
Best-Fit Scenario	Choose a frog for a humid, water-rich enclosure or for observing active jumping and swimming.	Choose a toad for a dry, land-based terrarium and for a pet that is easier to handle.

What Is Frog?

Frog is an amphibian with a short body, webbed digits, protruding eyes, and no tail. It lives near fresh water and uses powerful hind legs to jump. Frogs exist as predators that control insect populations and serve as key indicators of environmental health.

Definition of Frog

Frog is an ectothermic, tailless amphibian of the order Anura, characterized by a squat body, long hind limbs adapted for leaping, and a moist, permeable skin that facilitates cutaneous respiration. Frogs undergo metamorphosis from an aquatic larval stage, the tadpole, into a terrestrial adult form.

Key Characteristics of Frog

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Smooth, moist skin	Must stay near water because the skin dries out quickly and is not waterproof.
Powerful hind legs	Designed for jumping long distances to escape predators and catch prey.
Webbed feet	Act as paddles for efficient swimming in ponds, lakes, and slow streams.
Protruding eyes	Provide a wide field of vision with the ability to see almost 360 degrees around.
Long sticky tongue	Attached at the front of the mouth, it flips out fast to snag flying insects.
External eardrum	Visible tympanum on the head detects sound vibrations in air and water.
Aquatic tadpole stage	Juveniles breathe with gills and live fully underwater before metamorphosing into adults.
Skin respiration	Breathes through skin when underwater, absorbing oxygen directly into blood vessels.
Hibernation habit	Buries in mud or leaf litter to survive freezing winter temperatures without dying.
Moisture dependency	Spends most time near water or damp areas because skin loses water rapidly.

Common Examples of Frog

American Bullfrog – the largest North American frog, known for its deep, loud croaking call.
Red-eyed Tree Frog – a bright green tropical frog with red eyes and orange feet.
Poison Dart Frog – a tiny, vividly colored frog whose skin secretes potent toxins.
Wood Frog – a northern frog that survives freezing solid during winter hibernation.
African Dwarf Frog – a fully aquatic frog kept as a common pet in home aquariums.
Goliath Frog – the world’s largest frog, reaching up to 3.3 kilograms in weight.
Green Tree Frog – a climbing frog with sticky toe pads for living in trees.
Tomato Frog – a bright red, round-bodied frog native to Madagascar’s rainforests.
Leopard Frog – a spotted grassland frog that makes a short, chuckling call.
Glass Frog – a frog with translucent skin that shows its internal organs visibly.

Advantages and Limitations of Frog

Advantages	Limitations
Controls insect populations by eating large numbers of pests daily.	Highly sensitive to pollution, so their populations crash in contaminated water.
Acts as a bioindicator; its presence signals a healthy, balanced ecosystem.	Requires constant moisture, making it vulnerable to drought and habitat loss.
Provides food for birds, snakes, and fish, supporting the food chain.	Skin toxins in some species are dangerous to pets that try to eat them.
Its permeable skin allows rapid oxygen exchange for active underwater hunting.	Permeable skin also absorbs toxins, so it dies from chemical runoff exposure.
Its jumping ability helps it evade predators quickly and efficiently.	Jumping is ineffective on dry, flat terrain where it cannot gain traction.
Its tadpole stage filters algae, helping keep pond water clean and clear.	Its tadpole stage makes it a slow, defenseless target for aquatic predators.
Its sticky tongue catches insects faster than they can fly away.	Its tongue only works for moving prey, so it cannot eat stationary food.
Its wide eye placement gives near 360-degree vision to spot threats.	Its eyes cannot focus well on close objects, so it relies on motion detection.
Its skin secretes antimicrobial peptides that protect it from infections.	Its skin secretions can cause irritation or allergic reactions in sensitive humans.
Its breeding cycle is fast, allowing populations to recover after dry seasons.	Its breeding is tied to rainfall, so a single dry year can wipe out a population.

What Is Toad?

Toad is a warty-skinned amphibian that belongs to the family Bufonidae. It thrives on land, returning to water mainly to breed. Toads exist to control insect populations while surviving drier habitats than their smoother-skinned relatives.

Definition of Toad

A toad is a tailless amphibian of the family Bufonidae, characterised by dry, verrucose skin, short hind limbs for walking, and parotoid glands secreting bufotoxin. Unlike smooth-skinned anurans, toads possess a squat body and typically occupy terrestrial niches across temperate and tropical zones.

Key Characteristics of Toad

Characteristic	What It Means in Practice
Dry, warty skin	Skin lacks moisture, allowing toads to roam far from water without drying out.
Parotid glands	These swellings behind the eyes secrete a foul-tasting toxin that deters predators like snakes.
Short hind legs	Legs suit walking or hopping short distances, not leaping far like frogs.
Stout body shape	A broad, squat frame helps toads burrow into soil or leaf litter for cover.
Horizontal pupils	Eyes with horizontal pupils provide wide peripheral vision for spotting threats while resting.
Terrestrial lifestyle	Toads spend most of their life on land, visiting ponds only for a few breeding weeks.
Bufotoxin secretion	Milky poison from skin glands causes irritation or nausea in would-be predators.
Burrowing behaviour	Many toads dig backwards into loose soil to escape heat and hibernate through winter.
No teeth on upper jaw	Absence of maxillary teeth forces toads to swallow prey whole using sticky tongues.
Metamorphosis timing	Tadpoles transform into terrestrial toadlets within 4-8 weeks, shorter than many frog species.

Common Examples of Toad

American Toad – a widespread North American species with a high, trilling breeding call.
European Common Toad – the classic garden toad of Britain, recognised by its brown, lumpy skin.
Cane Toad – a large, invasive Australian pest originally from South America with potent parotoid toxin.
Fire-Bellied Toad – a brightly coloured Asian species with a green back and orange belly, warning predators.
Natterjack Toad – a European toad with a yellow stripe down its back and a loud, rasping call.
Fowler's Toad – a North American species that prefers sandy soils and produces a short, nasal call.
Western Spadefoot Toad – a desert dweller with a hard spade on each hind foot for rapid burrowing.
Golden Toad – a now-extinct bright orange toad from Costa Rica, lost to chytrid fungus.
Oak Toad – one of the smallest toads in North America, measuring just 2-3 centimetres long.
Surinam Toad – a flattened, aquatic toad with a leaf-like appearance, native to South American rivers.

Advantages and Limitations of Toad

Advantages	Limitations
Toads consume thousands of insects, slugs, and beetles, providing natural pest control for gardens.	Their bufotoxin is dangerous to pets and small children if ingested, posing a serious health risk.
Dry, tough skin allows toads to travel far from water and survive in arid, dry environments.	Short legs make them slow, so they are easily caught by snakes, birds, and domestic cats.
Toads can live 10-40 years in captivity, offering long-term ecological stability in a garden.	Their toxin can kill native predators that are not adapted to handle bufotoxin, disrupting food chains.
Burrowing behaviour helps toads survive extreme winters and droughts with minimal energy loss.	They are highly susceptible to habitat fragmentation from roads and urban development, causing population declines.
Toads breed in shallow, temporary pools, avoiding competition with fish in permanent water bodies.	Their short breeding window means a single dry season can wipe out an entire local generation.
Their warty skin provides excellent camouflage against leaf litter and soil, hiding from predators.	Bufotoxin is not a defence against all predators; some snakes and birds have evolved immunity.
Toads are highly adaptable and can thrive in urban gardens, parks, and agricultural fields.	They require a moist, cool microhabitat to avoid dehydration, limiting their activity to night hours.
They have a long breeding season, allowing multiple egg clutches in a single year.	Their eggs are laid in long strings that are easily destroyed by pollution or drying out.
Toads exhibit a strong homing instinct, returning to the same pond year after year.	This homing behaviour makes them extremely vulnerable to road mortality during breeding migrations.
They are a key food source for herons, raccoons, and some birds, supporting the food web.	Their toxin is non-selective, meaning it can harm humans who handle them and then touch their eyes or mouth.

Similarities Between Frog and Toad

Shared Aspect	How Frog and Toad Are Alike
Biological Class	Frog and toad both belong to the order Anura, making them tailless amphibians.
Skin Function	Frog and toad both absorb water and oxygen directly through their permeable skin.
Cold-Blooded Nature	Frog and toad are both ectothermic, relying on external heat to regulate body temperature.
Egg Laying	Frog and toad both lay jelly-coated eggs, typically in water or moist environments.
Aquatic Larvae	Frog and toad both hatch into gilled tadpoles that live exclusively in water.
Metamorphosis	Frog and toad both undergo metamorphosis, transforming from tadpoles into adult forms.
Diet Type	Frog and toad are both carnivorous, feeding primarily on insects and small invertebrates.
Hunting Method	Frog and toad both use a long, sticky tongue to capture prey with a quick flick.
Eyesight	Frog and toad both have large, bulging eyes positioned on top of their heads.
Hearing Organs	Frog and toad both possess visible tympanum membranes for detecting sound vibrations.
Vocalization	Frog and toad both produce croaking calls to attract mates during breeding season.
Habitat Range	Frog and toad both inhabit every continent except Antarctica, from tropics to temperate zones.
Moisture Need	Frog and toad both require moist environments or water sources to prevent skin drying.
Hibernation	Frog and toad both enter dormancy, burrowing or hiding to survive cold winters.
Predator Defense	Frog and toad both use camouflage, toxin secretions, or puffing up to deter predators.
Dietary Role	Frog and toad both serve as natural pest controllers by consuming large insect populations.
Ecosystem Position	Frog and toad both act as indicator species, signaling environmental health through their presence.
Food Chain	Frog and toad both serve as prey for birds, snakes, fish, and larger mammals.
Reproduction Timing	Frog and toad both breed in spring, timing mating with warmer temperatures and rainfall.
Parental Care	Frog and toad both provide no parental care, leaving eggs to develop independently.
Population Threats	Frog and toad both face habitat loss, pollution, climate change, and fungal diseases.
Conservation Status	Frog and toad both include many species listed as endangered or vulnerable globally.
Scientific Study	Frog and toad both serve as model organisms in developmental biology and genetics research.
Medical Use	Frog and toad both produce skin secretions with antimicrobial and painkilling properties.
Cultural Symbol	Frog and toad both appear in folklore, myths, and stories as symbols of transformation.
Pet Trade	Frog and toad both are kept as low-maintenance pets in terrariums by hobbyists.
Handling Risk	Frog and toad both require careful handling as their sensitive skin absorbs oils and chemicals.
Longevity	Frog and toad both live 2 to 10 years in the wild, with some captive exceptions.
Vision Type	Frog and toad both have binocular vision, enabling depth perception for catching prey.
Jumping Ability	Frog and toad both use powerful hind legs to jump, hop, or leap for movement.

Frog or Toad: Which Should You Choose?

The single variable that decides it is skin moisture needs. Frogs demand constant access to water and high humidity, while toads tolerate drier, terrestrial habitats. If you cannot guarantee a consistently damp environment, choose the toad for survival ease.

When to Use Frog

Choose Frog when you have a water feature, pond, or high-humidity terrarium. Frogs suit experienced keepers with budgets over $300 for a proper setup. They also fit bioactive paludariums where moisture is constant, and you want an active, leaping display animal.

When to Use Toad

Choose Toad when you have a dry, low-maintenance enclosure or a tight budget under $150. Toads handle room-temperature air and need less frequent misting. They are ideal for beginners, children, or anyone who wants a hardy pet that tolerates occasional handling without constant hydration.

Common Misconceptions About Frog and Toad

Common Myth	The Reality
All frogs live in water and all toads live on land.	Many frog species live mostly on land, and several toad species, like the natterjack, prefer damp, watery habitats.
A toad is a type of frog, not a separate group.	Both frog and toad are informal names; toads generally have warty skin, while frogs have smooth, moist skin.
Frogs always hop and toads always crawl or walk.	Frogs typically have longer legs for leaping, but many toads also hop short distances when threatened or moving quickly.
Toads give you warts when you handle them.	Toads do not cause warts; their skin has glands that secrete a mild irritant, not the human papillomavirus.
Frogs have teeth and toads have no teeth at all.	Most frogs have small maxillary teeth on the upper jaw, while most toads lack teeth entirely, relying on sticky tongues.
Frogs are always smooth and toads are always bumpy.	Some frogs, like the hairy frog, have rough skin, and certain toads, like the cane toad, have relatively smooth surfaces.
Toads are poisonous, but frogs are completely harmless.	Many frogs, like poison dart frogs, are highly toxic, while most toads only have mild skin secretions that irritate predators.
Frogs need to live near ponds, rivers, or lakes.	Tree frogs live in rainforest canopies and some desert frogs burrow underground for years, needing only seasonal rain.
Toads are slow, clumsy animals that cannot jump.	Many toads can leap several times their body length to escape predators, though they are less agile than frogs.
Frogs are only active during the day, toads only at night.	Both frogs and toads show varied activity; many frogs are nocturnal, and some toads, like the spadefoot, are crepuscular.
Toads are just baby frogs that have not grown up yet.	Toads are adult amphibians of the family Bufonidae, not juvenile frogs; baby frogs are called tadpoles or froglets.
Frogs have lungs their whole lives, like humans do.	Frogs breathe through skin and lungs; tadpoles use gills, and many frogs absorb oxygen through their skin.
Toads are always larger than frogs in body size.	Frogs like the Goliath frog grow up to 32 centimeters, while many toads species are only 2 to 5 centimeters long.
Frogs are green and toads are brown or grey in color.	Frogs can be red, blue, yellow, or orange, while toads also show green, reddish, or patterned camouflage variations.
Toads cannot swim, so they avoid water completely.	Toads are capable swimmers and often breed in shallow ponds, but they prefer drier habitats than most frogs.
Frogs have webbed feet, but toads have dry, separate toes.	Both frogs and toads have webbed hind feet; the webbing is more pronounced in aquatic frogs but present in toads.
Only frogs croak, while toads are silent animals.	Toads also vocalize, producing trills, chirps, or long calls, though frog calls are often louder and more varied.
Toads are found only in tropical or desert regions.	Toads live on every continent except Antarctica, from cold northern forests to hot, dry plains and even urban gardens.
Frogs lay eggs, but toads give birth to live young.	Both frogs and toads lay eggs, usually in water or moist places; none give birth to live young.
Toads are all the same species, just one type of animal.	Toads include over 300 species, such as the cane toad, fire-bellied toad, and spadefoot toad, each with unique traits.
Frogs are always green, like the classic cartoon frog.	Frogs come in many colors, including bright red, blue, yellow, and brown, depending on species and habitat.
Toads are dirty, but frogs are clean and safe to touch.	Both frogs and toads carry bacteria on their skin, and handling either can harm them due to their sensitive skin.
Frogs have long tongues that shoot out to catch prey.	Frogs do have long tongues, but toads also have sticky tongues; both use them to capture insects quickly.
Toads are nocturnal, so they never come out in the day.	Some toads are diurnal, like the golden toad, which was active during the day in the cloud forests of Costa Rica.
Frogs are only found in tropical rainforests or swamps.	Frogs live in deserts, mountains, and even near the Arctic Circle, like the wood frog that freezes in winter.
Toads have dry skin, so they do not need water to survive.	Toads still need moisture to keep their skin healthy and to breed, though they tolerate drier conditions than frogs.
Frogs are harmless to humans, but toads are dangerous.	Most frogs and toads are harmless; only a few species like the cane toad or poison dart frogs pose a real threat.
Toads are always ugly, but frogs are always beautiful.	Beauty is subjective; some toads have striking patterns, while some frogs are dull or camouflaged, like the leaf frog.
Frogs are born with legs, but toads are born without them.	Both frogs and toads hatch as legless tadpoles and develop legs during metamorphosis, which takes weeks or months.
Toads are pests, but frogs are beneficial to the garden.	Both frogs and toads eat insects, slugs, and pests, making them beneficial allies in any garden or farm ecosystem.

Conclusion

Difference Between Frog and Toad comes down to skin and legs: frogs have smooth, moist skin and long jumping legs, while toads have dry, warty skin and shorter legs. Choose frog for wet habitats and leaping; choose toad for dry land and crawling.

FAQs on Difference Between Frog and Toad

What is the main difference between a frog and a toad?: Frogs have smooth, moist skin and long legs for jumping, while toads have dry, warty skin and shorter legs for walking.
Are frogs and toads the same animal?: No, they are separate families within the same order, Anura, distinguished by skin texture, body shape, and habitat preferences.
Which is better for a beginner, keeping a frog or a toad?: Toads are better for beginners because they tolerate drier conditions and handling better than most delicate frog species.
What is the cost difference between owning a frog and a toad?: Toads are cheaper to own because they need a simpler terrarium and less expensive insects than exotic frogs that require specialized humidity setups.
Are toads dangerous to humans or pets?: Most toads are safe, but some species secrete bufotoxin, which can irritate skin or harm small pets if ingested.
Can frogs and toads live together in the same tank?: No, they should not live together because their different humidity needs and skin toxins can cause stress, illness, or death.
What is the most common beginner mistake when caring for a frog or a toad?: The most common mistake is using tap water, which contains chlorine and chloramines that harm the sensitive skin of both frogs and toads.
Can I use a frog habitat for a toad instead?: Yes, you can use a frog habitat for a toad, but you must reduce the humidity and add a dry land area to match toad needs.
Are frogs and toads interchangeable in a garden pest-control role?: Yes, both frogs and toads are interchangeable for garden pest control because they both eat large quantities of insects, slugs, and worms.
Can I switch my pet from a frog to a toad without changing the enclosure?: No, you cannot switch without changing the enclosure because toads need a drier substrate and lower humidity than aquatic frogs require.