Toad vs. Tadpole — What's the Difference?

Toad is a common name for certain frogs, especially of the family Bufonidae, that are characterized by dry, leathery skin, short legs, and large bumps covering the parotoid glands.A distinction between frogs and toads is not made in scientific taxonomy, but is common in popular culture (folk taxonomy), in which toads are associated with drier, rougher skin and more terrestrial habitats.

A tadpole is the larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian. Most tadpoles are fully aquatic, though some species of amphibians have tadpoles that are terrestrial.

Any of various anuran amphibians especially of the family Bufonidae, characteristically being more terrestrial and having drier, rougher skin and shorter legs than the smooth-skinned frogs.

The aquatic larva of a frog or toad, having gills, a long, laterally compressed tail, and in early stages, no limbs. During metamorphosis of a tadpole into an adult, legs and lungs develop, and the tail gradually disappears. Also called polliwog.

A horned lizard.

A young toad or frog in its larval stage of development that lives in water, has a tail and no legs, and, like a fish, breathes through gills.

A person regarded as repulsive.

(by extension) The aquatic larva of any amphibian.

An amphibian, a kind of frog (order Anura) with shorter hindlegs and a drier, wartier skin, many in family Bufonidae.

A type of cargo bike that has two wheels in front and one in back.

(pejorative) A contemptible or unpleasant person.

(psychology) A child's basic drawing of a human being, having a detailed head but only sticks for the body and limbs.

(pejorative) An ugly person.

(informal) A small child.

To expel (a user) permanently from a MUD or similar system, so that their account is deleted.

The young aquatic larva of any amphibian. In this stage it breathes by means of external or internal gills, is at first destitute of legs, and has a finlike tail. Called also polliwig, polliwog, porwiggle, or purwiggy.

Any one of numerous species of batrachians belonging to the genus Bufo and allied genera, especially those of the family Bufonidæ. Toads are generally terrestrial in their habits except during the breeding season, when they seek the water. Most of the species burrow beneath the earth in the daytime and come forth to feed on insects at night. Most toads have a rough, warty skin in which are glands that secrete an acrid fluid.

The hooded merganser.

Any of various tailless stout-bodied amphibians with long hind limbs for leaping; semiaquatic and terrestrial species

A larval frog or toad