From these Bible verses we know that the Creator, God Himself, loved the people of earth even before He created the world. This delight and joy also included having us share His happiness in' His created things. This even includes learning about the many varieties of toads and frogs that He has placed in the world.
In response to the title question, "Is it a frog or a toad?" the term "frog" is used many times to describe what actually is a toad. In spite of similarities, there are many differences. Toads, for instance, have no teeth whereas most frogs do. Toads have hind feet which are only partially webbed while frogs' feet are fully webbed. Only toads are covered with warty skin, having poison in glands behind each eye and in each wart, that irritates and sometimes kills enemies (although it is harmless to humans). (Incidentally, it is not true that handling toads will give you warts.)
The eyes of toads are interesting, and many people think that they are quite pretty. Each variety 'has its own colors and jewel-like design. Like frogs, toads seldom blink their eyes.
Both toads and frogs have excellent patience, sitting perfectly still for long periods of time,. waiting for a morsel of food to come swimming, crawling or flying by. Then, a quick flick of its long tongue will capture its dinner.
Most frogs and toads make their homes in warm climates. However, one that likes the cold is the boreal toad, a resident of British Columbia and Alaska. Another also preferring the northern climate is the Hudson Bay toad, a heavily warted specimen distinguished by a white stripe down the center of its green back.
One of the most interesting is the Surinam species of South America which is so flat it looks like it has been stepped on. Never leaving the water, it eats small fish, insects, worms, etc. Its long and slim, webless front fingers are very sensitive to touch, and with them most of its food is found. When the female lays eggs the male places them, one by one, in pockets on her back, and her skin quickly closes over them, providing a separate incubator for each. After several weeks they come out fully developed adults and do not have to go through the tadpole stage as most others do.
There is also a six-inch-long, four inch-wide American toad, given the name of giant, but it is actually only about half the size of its cousin, the well-known American bullfrog.
These and a great number of other varieties are, like each of us, always under the watchful eye of our Creator, the Lord Jesus Christ. God's Word, the Bible, tells us: "Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind." Job 12:9,109Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? 10In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. (Job 12:9‑10). Have you ever thanked Him for watching over you?
Yes, even toads and frogs are included in the above verse, as is every creature God has made. In the last issue the unusual ways of some toads in various parts of the world were considered. Let's look at a few more.
Among the smallest is Rose's toad of South Africa which is only about an inch long. Another short one, the two-inch spadefoot, has a sharp spade (shovel) on the inside of each hind foot, something like the nail on your big toe. With these it digs underground to escape desert hot spells, remaining there until the rainy season brings it out again. The spadefoot is sometimes referred to as a frog, but it is more correctly a toad.
Both the Fowler's toad and the oak toad look twice their actual size when blowing balloons from their mouths to increase the volume of their croaking. Some others make similar balloons, swelling out their throats to increase the volume.
The yellow natterjack of England, with deep brown warts, is also interesting. Looking almost like a tiny bulldog, it doesn't hop, but runs over the ground. Another, rather peculiar looking, is the pale-green South American granular toad, covered with sharp-looking points that scare would-be attackers, although they are just soft warts.
One species which does not have the normal drab colors of toads is the olive-green Colorado River toad.
It lives in the deserts of the United States and Mexico and is the most venomous (poisonous) of all toads,.
It has glands in its legs containing poison which when rubbed into the skin of a small animal brings painful death. This is good protection for this species and it is seldom attacked.
Another even more colorful species, which lives in groups of a thousand or more, is the golden toad. Their colors range from a bright enamel red to a brilliant orange. These make beautiful displays of bright color among the trees and forests of Costa Rica. They do not have to use loud croaks to keep in touch with each other, for their bright colors serve that purpose.
It would take more space than available here to write about all the known varieties of toads, but this little glimpse of them should cause us to admire the Creator's marvelous work. The Bible's assurance: that "all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do" (Heb. 4:1313Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do. (Hebrews 4:13)) includes each of us, too. It is sobering to realize the time coming when we all must give account of ourselves to God who has been watching and caring for us (see. Rom. 14:11,1211For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. (Romans 14:11‑12)). Are you prepared for that time?