"what species is a frog?"
2.9s
Add to Favorites
Cozy Upvote
Share
Export
Tap a circle to see that AI's answer
Frogs are not a single species; they are any amphibian belonging to the order Anura, which contains over 5,000 species across roughly 22 families.
AI Consensus
Models Agreed
- Both models state that a frog is any member of the order Anura【1】【2】.
- Both note that there are over 5,000 frog species worldwide【3】.
- Both agree that toads are a subset of frogs (still Anura)【5】【9】.
What Species Is a Frog?
Taxonomic placement
| Rank | Group |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Amphibia – cold‑blooded vertebrates that live part of their lives in water and part on land5 |
| Order | Anura – the “frog” order, encompassing all frogs and toads2 |
| Families | >20 families (≈22), e.g., Ranidae (true frogs), Hylidae (tree frogs), Bufonidae (true toads)26 |
| Species | >5,000 described species worldwide; new species are still being discovered3 |
Key characteristics
- Tailless, short‑bodied vertebrates with long hind limbs for jumping1.
- Amphibious life cycle: eggs → aquatic tadpoles → metamorphosis into terrestrial adults1.
- Cold‑blooded (ectothermic)5.
Frog vs. toad
- All toads are a subset of frogs (both belong to Anura), but “toad” is commonly used for members of families such as Bufonidae59.
- The term “frog” can be used broadly for any anuran, or more narrowly to refer to Ranidae (the “true frogs”)2.
Diversity
- Over 5,000 species are known, ranging from the tiny Paedophryne amauensis (≈7 mm) to the large Goliath frog (Conraua goliath, up to 32 cm)3.
- Species exhibit a wide array of colors, sizes, habitats, and reproductive strategies4.
Quick taxonomy snapshot
- Order Anura = frogs + toads.
- Family Ranidae = “true frogs” (often what people think of when they say “frog”).
- Family Bufonidae = “true toads”, still anurans.
Summary
A “frog” is not a single species but any member of the order Anura, a diverse group of tailless amphibians that includes thousands of species spread across roughly two dozen families. Frogs share common traits—short bodies, long hind legs, and a biphasic life cycle—but vary enormously in size, color, and ecology.
AI can make mistakes. Verify important information.