A few years ago, I went to John Knox Ranch with our Master Naturalist class. John Knox Ranch is a camp and retreat center and our chapter frequently has activities there. In addition to one of our training classes being held there, we sometimes use it for chapter meetings and it is also the location of one of our chapter projects. It’s a pretty place with almost 300 acres and several hundred feet of creek frontage.

One of my classmates found a small toad in a riparian area we were exploring.

Mr. Tiny Toad

I’m actually guessing that it’s a toad, based on its dry and rough skin, but I could be wrong. I also don’t know if it’s a young toad or if it’s full-grown. I was surprised at how calm it was. It didn’t try to jump away immediately.

What is the difference, anyway, between a frog and a toad? They’re both amphibians – is there a a real, scientific, difference? Or is it just what we call them?

This page explains it well, but basically, frogs like moister environments and toads like the dryer ones. Frogs tend to have wet, smooth skin, and toads have dry, rough skin. I figure it’s not that big a deal, in any case. They know the difference and that’s all that matters.

I think it might be a Gulf Coast Toad (Incilius valliceps) or a Texas Toad (Bufo speciosus), based on the appearance and their geographic distribution.

What do you think?