Although frogs and toads are a fairly common sight, the spread of London's urban environment has led to the destruction of the vast majority of the ponds that existed in the region. The survival of London’s amphibians has been severely threatened by this loss. The only saviour of the common frog and toad has been the increase in the number of garden ponds, which provide an alternative to lost wildlife habitats. Sadly, toads have been less successful than frogs in adapting to garden ponds and their numbers have been particularly affected by the loss of natural wetland habitat.

Appearance and behaviour  The most obvious difference between these two amphibians is their skin. Frogs have moist smooth skin, greenish brown to yellow in colour, with a distinctive brown patch behind the eye. Toads have drier bumpier skin, which is often brownish. The slimy look of frogs (they don't feel slimy) is caused by a secretion from glands in the skin, which keeps it moist and supple. This is extremely important as frogs breathe through their skin as well as through their lungs. Toads do this to a lesser extent.  Frogs lay their spawn in shallow, still water, forming large clumps of eggs which rapidly swell up as they absorb water. Toads tend to spawn in deeper water forming ropes of eggs, which wind around plant stems. There can never be too much spawn, out of 2,000 eggs, on average only 5 adults will survive to breed. The rest form part of the diet for fish, newts, birds, water beetles, and even tadpoles. Frogs tend to feed during the night around the edges of ponds, using their long, sticky tongues to capture flying insects and beetles, or ensnare slugs and snails - their staple foods. Toads often travel longer distances to obtain their food, which consists mainly of ants, but also includes slugs, snails and woodlice.

Wild facts  The transition from tadpole to adult not only includes the visible changes in body structure, but also a change in feeding habits from vegetarian to ferociously carnivorous. However, some tadpoles never grow up, living as "Peter Pan" tadpoles of up to 12cm in length. This permanent "childhood" is associated with too low a water temperature.  During a few warm, damp nights in spring thousands of toads undertake a perilous journey to their breeding ponds. Frogs also migrate, but they travel shorter distances. In some areas entire populations of toads make for a single suitable pond - hundreds can be wiped out on the intervening roads. Concern for the plight of these unfortunate animals has led to the establishment of road warning signs on migration routes. So if you see a toad warning sign, slow down and look out for these night time travellers!

Conservation issues  The real threat to amphibians, as with many other plants and animals, is the destruction of their natural habitat. It is only though the conservation of suitable ponds that these fascinating animals will be part of our future.

In your patch  Find out if any frogs or toads have been spotted in your area with the fantastic WIMBY tool, run by GiGL – Greenspace Information for Greater London.

Spotted  Have you seen a common frog or common toad in London? Let us know!  Register with GiGL and tell us about the species you’ve spotted in the capital.