Frogs and Toads

Most of us grew up hearing frogs are smooth-skinned, and toads are dry and warty. It ends up that that distinction has no basis in science. They are all frogs. And we know them when we see them.

American Toad (Wikimedia) Public Domain

Long legs, big bellies, protruding eyes, and long, sticky tongues all help make these garden helpers voracious predators. Frogs commonly eat flies, moths, slugs, snails, and worms. This makes frogs a great addition to your garden. All they need is moisture and a chemical-free environment.
 
Sadly, those conditions are in short supply these days.
 
Frogs have been around for about 250 million years. They lay eggs in water. Those eggs hatch into tadpoles. Tadpoles swim around, eating algae and other plant matter until they lose their tails, then they move on land.

Frog life cycle (LadyofHats) Public Domain

Frogs make up nearly 90% of the world’s amphibians, but they are in trouble.
 
According to Wikipedia, one-third of all frog species are threatened with extinction. More than 120 species have gone extinct since the 1980s, and genetic mutations are increasing. Considering frogs are significant players in the world’s food web, we can all do them a favor by making room for them in our gardens.
 
Adding a frog pond might be more than some gardeners can manage. But you can probably create a moist, private area with protective branches and plants to help native frogs hide from garter snakes, pets, and human activities. Consider a bird bath or other shallow water container at ground level.
 
If you come across a frog in your garden, it is best to leave it alone. Most amphibians carry Salmonella bacteria and should not be handled.

Common toad exhibiting a defensive posture (Łukasz Olszewski ImreKiss) CC BY 3.0