Toad Tadpoles vs Frog Tadpoles: Vet-Reviewed Differences (With Pictures)
By Misty Layne
Updated on
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Perhaps you’ve been looking for a pet that isn’t your typical dog or cat. Or maybe you’ve been looking for some help with getting algae in your garden pond under control. In either of these situations, tadpoles make an excellent option! But do you want to get toad tadpoles or frog tadpoles?
What exactly are the differences between them? As it turns out, there aren’t huge differences between toad and frog tadpoles. You can keep either as pets and watch them grow into toads and frogs, and both kinds of tadpoles will aid in keeping garden ponds algae-free. Here’s what to know about toad and frog tadpoles!
Visual Differences
Please note that many states and jurisdictions may have legislation that prevents capturing or owning tadpoles, frogs, or toads. Always make sure you have the permission to legally own an exotic pet before deciding to adopt one. If you are in the US, please refer to state laws before deciding to adopt an exotic or wild pet. Elsewhere, please refer to relevant jurisdictions in your area.
Capturing wild animals is not advised, as this disrupts local ecosystems. In addition, amphibians may naturally harbor Salmonella and spread it to humans and other pets. Frogs or toads are not recommended to be kept alongside children, the elderly, pregnant individuals, or those with a compromised immune system. Hygiene is of utmost importance when dealing with amphibians.
Some species of frogs or toads have naturally occuring poisons which they can release by different mechanisms, depending on the species. Therefore, caution and thorough research prior to adopting a pet is very important.
At a Glance
- Origin: Worldwide
- Size: Less than 30 mm long
- Lifespan: 4 months
- Domesticated?: No
- Origin: Worldwide
- Size: Varies by species
- Lifespan: 3-4 months
- Domesticated?: No
Toad Tadpoles Overview
There’s actually not a ton of difference between toad and frog tadpoles. The most significant differences you’ll notice will be in the color and shape of the two. Here’s a closer look at the toad tadpole.
Characteristics & Appearance
Tadpoles of any kind have short, oval-shaped bodies and broad tails. They also do not have external gills at this stage, and internal gills are covered by the operculum, so they are concealed. Tadpoles also have tiny mouths! Metamorphosis of the tadpole to a toad typically takes about 4 months.1 Once complete, the tadpole will emerge onto land looking quite different as a toad!
You can tell you’re looking at a toad tadpole instead of a frog tadpole because toad tadpoles are entirely black. Toad tadpoles are also much shorter and fatter than frog tadpoles.
Uses
One of the main uses of toad tadpoles, of course, is as a pet. Many people will raise tadpoles into toads for pets. However, that isn’t the only reason people keep tadpoles around.
Tadpoles are also often used as algae control in ponds.2 Once tadpoles have finished consuming their yolk sacs, their diets switch to algae, aquatic plants, and other such food sources. When it comes to algae, the tadpole will eat planktonic algae (the type of algae found suspended in garden ponds) and filamentous algae (typically grows along the edges of a pond). These algae forms can quickly become out of control, so toad and frog tadpoles are brought in to contain the spread.
Frog Tadpoles Overview
As we said previously, there aren’t a lot of differences between frogs and toad tadpoles. The primary way you’ll be able to tell the difference will be in the shape and coloring of the tadpoles.
Characteristics & Appearance
Frog tadpoles will also have long tails and short oval bodies with small mouths and no external gills. But frog tadpoles develop much quicker than toad tadpoles; it only takes about 14 weeks for them to become tiny frogs. So, how can you tell a frog tadpole is indeed a frog tadpole?
For one, frog tadpoles will be long and skinny instead of short and fat like the toad tadpole. The easier way to decipher whether you’re looking at a frog tadpole will be the coloring, though, as frog tadpoles have gold flecks in their coloring.
Uses
As with toad tadpoles, frog tadpoles are often raised as pets, which turn into frogs. And like toad tadpoles, frog tadpoles are incredibly helpful in controlling the spread of algae in ponds, so they, too, are often used for that.
And in some places, people also eat tadpoles. Tadpoles of Megophryidae frogs grow to be up to 4 inches and are sometimes eaten in China, while in Peru, Telmatobius mayoloi tadpoles are consumed.
What Are the Differences Between Toad and Frog Tadpoles?
So, what are the main differences between toad and frog tadpoles?
For starters, all tadpoles come from spawn, and frogspawn and toad spawn look different. Frogspawn will be laid in shallower water and appear to be big clumps of jelly. But toad spawn is laid in deeper water, in long strings that usually wrap around vegetation.
When frog tadpoles hatch, they are black and normally clump together in a large grouping. But, as they grow, they become a gray-green color that contains flecks of gold. However, toad tadpoles will remain black for the duration of their lives.
Final Thoughts
Which kind of tadpole is right for you largely depends on why you want tadpoles in the first place. If you’re seeking tadpoles as pets, your decision will be based on whether you’d rather have frogs or toads when the tadpoles grow up.
If you’re looking for an algae control method, either tadpole will work well in this regard. You can get one kind of tadpole or both to put in your pond, as both will do.
Overall, toad and frog tadpoles really are quite similar!
See Also:
- Pickerel Frog vs Leopard Frog: The Differences (With Pictures)
- Pacman Frog Male vs. Female: The Differences (With Pictures)
- Green Frog vs Bullfrog: What’s the Difference? (With Pictures)
Featured Image Credit: Left – Brian Magnier, Shutterstock | Right – QiuJu Song, Shutterstock
