Toads and frogs are both in the order Anura.

While toads and frogs are biologically the same there are some key differences between them. Toads are associated with a drier, wart-covered, leathery skin, and shorter legs than frogs. They also can live further away from water.

Toads are found on all continents except Antarctica and are also not present on isolated islands like New Zealand, New Guinea, and Madagascar.

A group of toads is often called a knot.

The common toad (or European toad), is a large-sized species of toad that is found throughout Europe, extending from Siberia into North Africa.

The cane toad that is native to South and Central America was introduced in Australia to combat the pest beetles of sugarcane plantations. However, the cane toad itself is now seen as a widespread pest in the country.

Like frogs, toads also start out life in water as fish-like tadpoles.

Toads have a pair of parotoid glands on the back of their heads. These glands and the skin in general, contain a poison which the toad excretes if feeling stressed or threatened. The poison has different effects on different animals, some find it irritating to eyes and mouth, while it may be fatal to others.

Some species such as the cane toad are more toxic than other species.

Contrary to popular believe you will not get warts by touching the bumpy wart-like skin or glands of a toad. The poison does not usually affect humans, however you should always wash your hands after touching a toad.

Toads may also play dead, or puff themselves up to appear bigger if they feel threatened by predators.

Toads do not have teeth, so they do not chew their food, instead swallowing it whole.

Toads are usually nocturnal. They burrow beneath the earth in the day and come out at night to feed on insects.

Toads will hibernate throughout the winter months.

In the wild, most toads species live on average 3 to 5 years. They have been recorded living as old as 39 years in captivity.