Overview
Frogs
A frog is a small tailless amphibian. They have smooth, moist skin, long hind legs, webbed feet and bulging eyes. As amphibians, frogs live in water during the first (tadpole) part of their lives and in or near water as adults. Frogs are good swimmers and can make long jumps. Frogs spend more of their time in water than their close relative, toads.
New Zealand native frogs are unique because they do not go through a tadpole stage, but instead develop totally within a gelatinous capsule derived from an egg. There are four endemic frog species in New Zealand and three introduced from Australia. The four endemic New Zealand species are the most primitive frogs in the world.
Toads
Toads are also small tailless amphibians, but they have dry, rough skin. They have short hind legs and stubbier in appearance than a frog. When grown, toads are terrestrial (live mostly on land). Cane toads, introduced to Australia to control pests, have become a major ecological pest themselves. No wild toad populations are found in New Zealand, although in the early 1900s the New Zealand government was urged to introduce the European toad to control grassgrub in pastureland.