North and Central America together have a generous assortment of the world's salamanders. Frogs and toads are easy to recognize since they lack tails, having tails only as tadpoles. Frogs usually have smooth skin and live in water, while toads have warty skins and live on land, but in some parts of the country the words toad and frog may be used interchangeably. Toads are often adapted to dried conditions. The spadefoot toad is able to breed in temporary pools after rains, for the young develop very quickly.
Common toads have poison glands which are irritating to the mouth of any predator.
The bullfrog and leopard frog are examples of common true frogs. The little tree frogs, including spring peppers, are a large group, some very tiny and most very loud-voiced. Many have pads on their toes which allow then to cling to vertical surfaces. They are often brightly colored in oranges, yellows or greens. Reptiles Most differences between amphibians and reptiles can be seen as changes making it easier to live on land.