Toads? caught "in flagrante"

SilverW0lf · #1 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:41 PM

As a newbie to our amphibian life, I'm think I'm right in identifying these amorous toads as toads (due to the "bumpyness) of their skin).

I'm also assuming they're common toads - Bufo bufo

Could someone just confirm these id's for me?

derbi · #2 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 12:56 PM

hi there and welcome,
I dont think they are bufo bufo, but a frog Rana temporaria.

meinchewster · #3 (**permalink**) 13-03-2009, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverW0lf

As a newbie to our amphibian life, I'm think I'm right in identifying these amorous toads as toads (due to the "bumpyness) of their skin).

I'm also assuming they're common toads - Bufo bufo

Could someone just confirm these id's for me?

These are indeed the common frog, you can distinguish them buy not only the warty skin (in toads) but the large temphanic membrane behind the eye and more obviously in your photo, frog spawn is laid in clumps made up of round jelly eggs where as the common toad has spawn laid in strings that are narrow and less rotund.

SilverW0lf · #4 (**permalink**) 20-03-2009, 08:37 AM

Cheers for the ID derbi & meinchewster.

Having looked at a photo of a common toad again I can see how seriously warty they are and not like those in my photo. Thanks for the info.

coasty · #5 (**permalink**) 20-03-2009, 09:12 AM

Thats a nice photo.. I think that what can confuse many people is the large variation in colours and even skin textures frogs can exhibit. In my small pond we have yellow , green and quite dark brown frogs and the skin texture can alter frequently. The one thing that always sets them apart for me but often field guides dont draw much attention to is the head shape. If you study some photos you will see what I mean....

Africa · #6 (**permalink**) 20-03-2009, 08:12 PM

Another tip: toads have horizontal pupils, frogs have an oval shape. Toads look permanently angry, frogs have quite contented faces. Skin texture looks more warty when dry.