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Science & Nature • Amphibian

Frog

A frog is any member of the amphibian order Anura, a group of tailless vertebrates found worldwide except Antarctica.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

A frog is any member of the amphibian order Anura, a group of tailless vertebrates found worldwide except Antarctica. The term is often used broadly for smooth-skinned, leaping anurans, though in strict taxonomy it may refer more narrowly to true frogs in the family Ranidae.

Classification and terminology

Frogs are amphibians in the order Anura. In common use, the word often refers to smooth-skinned, leaping anurans, while some taxonomies use it more narrowly for members of Ranidae.

Anatomy and life cycle

Adult frogs are tailless and usually have long hind legs adapted for jumping. They begin life as aquatic eggs and tadpoles, then undergo metamorphosis into adults.

Habitat and distribution

Frogs occur across a wide global range, from tropical regions to subarctic areas, with the greatest diversity in tropical rainforests and associated wetlands.

Ecology and behaviour

Most adult frogs are carnivorous and feed on small invertebrates. Different species are adapted to fresh water, land, trees, or subterranean environments.

Key facts

  • Frogs belong to the order Anura and are characterized by the absence of a tail in adulthood.
  • Adult frogs typically have long hind legs, protruding eyes, and moist skin.
  • Frog larvae are called tadpoles and develop in water before metamorphosis.
  • Frogs are found in a wide range of habitats, including ponds, forests, trees, and underground burrows.
  • The common distinction between frogs and toads is informal rather than strictly taxonomic.
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Canadian context

Frogs are part of Canada’s native amphibian fauna, occurring in many provinces and territories and serving as useful indicators of wetland and freshwater ecosystem health.

Frequently asked questions

What is a frog?
A frog is a tailless amphibian in the order Anura.
Are frogs and toads the same?
The distinction is informal. In common usage, toads usually refers to rougher, stockier anurans, but many toads are still frogs in the broader biological sense.
Do frogs have tails?
Adult frogs do not have tails, though their larval stage, the tadpole, does.
Where do frogs live?
Frogs live in many habitats, including freshwater, forests, trees, and underground burrows, and they are found almost worldwide.
What do frogs eat?
Most adult frogs are carnivorous and eat small animals such as insects and other invertebrates.

References

  1. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/frog
    Supports: Definition of frog as an order Anura amphibian and informal frog/toad distinction
  2. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/animal/Anura
    Supports: Order Anura, frog/toad terminology, and approximate species diversity
  3. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frog
    Supports: General description, distribution, and proportion of amphibian species
  4. PBS Nature — https://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/group/amphibians-reptiles/frog/
    Supports: Body plan, habitat range, and order Anura
  5. Burke Museum — https://www.burkemuseum.org/collections-and-research/biology/herpetology/all-about-amphibians/all-about-frogs
    Supports: Common frog/toad relationship and explanatory amphibian content