12 Unique Frogs That Look Like Toads (Pictures)

When it comes to amphibians, the line between frogs and toads often blurs, especially for those unfamiliar with their distinct characteristics. While both belong to the same order, Anura, they are different and the terms ‘frog’ and ‘toad’ cannot be used interchangeably. In this article we will talk a bit about the differences between frogs and toads, and then look at 12 frog species that could be mistaken for toads due to certain shared characteristics.

12 Frogs that look like toads

Before we jump to the toad-like frogs, let’s take a minute to go over some of the characteristics that separate these two types of amphibians. 

Main Differences Between Frogs and Toads

• Skin Texture: Frogs typically have smooth, moist skin, while toads have drier, rough, and bumpy skin.
• Habitat: Frogs are generally found near water or in very moist environments, whereas toads can thrive in drier areas.
• Leg Length: Frogs usually have longer legs adapted for jumping, while toads have shorter legs that are better suited for walking or hopping.
• Body Shape: Frogs tend to have a slender, streamlined body, while toads often have a stockier build.
• Eggs: Frogs lay their eggs in clusters or large masses, while toads lay their eggs in long, chain-like strings.
• Movement: Frogs are more likely to leap long distances, whereas toads generally move in short hops.
• Parotoid Glands: Toads have prominent parotoid glands behind their eyes, which secrete toxins as a defense mechanism. Most frogs lack these glands.

Now let’s look at the frogs that could be mistaken for toads at first glance, usually due to their body shape, color or skin appearance. 

1. American Bullfrog

Scientific Name: Lithobates catesbeianus

The American Bullfrog is a large, stocky amphibian native to North America. This frog can reach a length of 8 inches. It has a broad and flat head with a large mouth, and its skin is bumpy, similar to that of a toad.

However, unlike toads, their skin is usually wet because they live in still, shallow waters such as the edges of ponds, rivers, and streams. Its main sources of food are worms, insects, crayfish, fish, frogs, and other vertebrates that can fit in its mouth.

2. Fujian frog

Scientific Name: Glandirana minima

The Fujian frog is a small, dark-colored amphibian with the appearance of a toad. This frog was named after the Chinese region where it was discovered. It’s indigenous to China, more specifically in the province of Fujian, where you can find it in rivers, swamps, marshes, and ponds.

Though they’re true frogs, these creatures are often confused with toads due to their stocky shape, dark color, and warty skin.

3. Imienpo Station frog

Scientific Name: Glandirana emeljanovi

The Imienpo Station frog, known scientifically as Glandirana emeljanovi, is a small amphibian native to Asia and can grow to be up to 6 cm long. These frogs have grayish-brown skin that is wrinkled and rough, with black spots on their backs, giving them an toad-like appearance.

While their textured skin may cause confusion, these frogs do not possess the toxic properties commonly found in toads with parotoid glands. These frogs can be found in a variety of wetland habitats, including marshes, pools, lakes, ponds, swamps, and slow-moving streams.

4. Mindanao horned frog

Scientific Name: Pelobatrachus stejnegeri

The Mindanao horned frog is a species of amphibian native to Mindanao in the Philippines. They live in moist lowland forests, rivers, and other freshwater environments.

Because of their wide head and bumpy body, these frogs resemble toads. The back skin is light brown, with bumps and horn-shaped features on the head.

These frogs eat insects like ants and termites, as well as spiders and other small invertebrates like snails and crickets. They have also been observed eating smaller frogs.

5. Crowned bullfrog

Scientific Name: Hoplobatrachus occipitalis

This large-bodied amphibian is native to sub-Saharan Africa. They have greenish skin with large brown spots, and while it is not extremely bumpy, it does have a textured appearance that looks similar to toad skin. 

Insects, beetles, tiny toads, and other small animals are among their primary sources of food. You can find this frog in a variety of habitats, such as savannas, moist lowland forests, shrublands, rivers, and marshes.

6. Japanese wrinkled frog

Japanese wrinkled frogs are native to Japan, and have been introduced to Hawaii. As the name suggests, the Japanese wrinkled frog is a small amphibian with wrinkly skin on its pale or dark brown body.

It has dark stripes and large eyes as well. This overall appearance makes this frog look more like a toad. In the wild, they inhabit wet places like swamps, rice paddies, and ponds. The frog’s diet consists of insects, arachnids, and crustaceans.

7. Edible bullfrog

Scientific Name: Pyxicephalus edulis

Edible bullfrogs, also called lesser bullfrogs or Peter’s bullfrogs, are large, dark green frogs that resemble toads. They also have warts and dark blotches all over their bodies, and a more rounded, squat appearance than slender frogs.

This species can grow to be up to 4.7 inches long, with males being larger than females. In addition, females have a stripe that extends from the top of their heads all the way down to their noses, which is less evident in males.

This bullfrog is found in flooded grasslands and marshes. They eat spiders, tadpoles, and other frogs in their vicinity. These amphibians will also eat small birds if they come across them near their waterside home.

8. Chiricahua leopard frog

Scientific Name: Lithobates chiricahuensis

The Chiricahua leopard frog is native to the mountainous regions of southeastern Arizona, southwestern New Mexico, and parts of northern Mexico. Characterized by its robust body, this frog typically measures between 3 to 5 inches in length and showcases a mottled pattern of dark spots against a green or brown background, providing effective camouflage among its natural habitat.

While it’s skin is smooth and moist, it’s coloration and texture can sometimes make it appear toad-like. The Chiricahua leopard frog is primarily nocturnal, emerging at night to hunt for insects, small invertebrates, and other prey, while seeking refuge in burrows or under vegetation during the day to escape the harsh sunlight.

9. Mississippi gopher frog

Scientific Name: Lithobates sevosus

The Mississippi gopher frog is a small, dark-colored frog found in the southeastern United States. The back of this frog is dark-brown or black, with dark spots and warts. The color and warts on its large body give this species the appearance of a toad, but this frog only grows to be 3 inches long.

Mississippi gophers spend the majority of their time in sandy areas with abundant ground cover, where they live and use the burrows abandoned by other animals, such as tortoises and crayfish.

10. Banded Bullfrog

Scientific Name: Kaloula pulchra

he Banded Bullfrog is a chubby, dark-colored, narrow-mouthed frog found in Southeast Asia. It can be found in both forests and urban areas.

They’re distinguished by their stocky build, brown color, and copper stripes. Although these frogs are only 3 inches long, they have a loud, cattle-like bellow. Ants, termites, and other small invertebrates such as moths, earthworms, and flies are their primary food sources.

These amphibians can survive in dry climates and burrow underground during the dry season, waiting for the rainy season to arrive so they can breed with other frogs.

11. Surinam horned frog

Scientific Name: Ceratophrys cornuta

The Surinam horned frog is a large and distinctive amphibian that lives in South America’s rainforests and swamps. This species can reach a size of 8 inches and has a horn-like features over each eye that help it camouflage with leaves on the forest floor. Female Surinam horned frogs are mostly tan, but males can be brown or green.

Surinam horned frogs spend the majority of their time burrowed in leaf litter, where they camouflage and wait for prey. They eat insects and small horned frogs found in their environment. Their large body and textured skin can give them a toad-like appearance.

12. Southern Leopard Frog

Scientific Name: Lithobates heckscheri

The Southern Leopard Frog, sometimes called River Frogs or Heckscher’s Frog, is native to the southeastern United States. This species can grow to be 4 inches long and has a dark skin with dark specks, and white spots on their lips. While their skin is fairly moist and smooth, it can have a textured appearance, making it look more warty and toad-like than it really is. 

These amphibians live in marshes and other wet areas and spend most of their time in the water. They also feed on crayfish, leeches, and other invertebrates. River frogs will also eat fish, frogs, and small snakes.