Sustainable Warminster

Why should we be leaping to help toads and frogs?

They may not be the cuddliest of creatures, but toads and frogs are some of the unsung heroes of our ecosystems. For so long, they have quietly played vital roles in our environment and, perhaps more surprisingly, safeguarded our well-being. 

Frogs and toads are excellent pest controllers. They eat many slugs, bugs and beetles, and other insects that can cause havoc in your garden. A healthy population of frogs and toads helps control pests naturally, reducing the need for pesticides that can threaten other wildlife and pollute our water.

Frogs and toads serve as important “bioindicators,” meaning their health provides clues about the quality of our water sources and the overall health of local ecosystems. If frogs are doing well, the environment is likely in good shape. On the other hand, if they’re disappearing, it’s usually a sign of pollution or habitat loss, problems that could eventually affect us humans. Indeed, toads and frogs have porous skin, making them very vulnerable to pollution. Their populations are declining alarmingly, and their conservation is more important to us than ever.

Could you tell the difference?

Toads and frogs, though closely related, have distinct differences. Toads have dry, bumpy skin, shorter legs for walking, and lay eggs in chains, while frogs have smooth, moist skin, longer legs for leaping, and lay eggs in clusters. Toads prefer terrestrial habitats like gardens, while frogs prefer ponds.

Column by Sustainable Warminster co-chairs Rebecca Krzyzosiak and Amy Darbyshire

Pictured: Could you tell the difference between a toad and a frog?