Giant frog

Giant frogs (or giant toads&mdash;the terms were more or less interchangeable ) were monstrous varieties of the mundane animals of the same name.

Description
In terms of physical description, giant frogs completely matched normal frogs, except in size. However, their appearance varied between species.

Giant frogs could grow up to long, and weigh up to. Due to this extended size, they could jump up to high,  and across gaps that were  wide, even from being completely stationary. In earlier ages, some scholars noted specimens that could jump even greater heights, up to.

Those referred to as "toads" typically had drier, bumpier or "warty" skin, that was often rough to the touch. One of the other major differences is that the giant frogs classified as "toads" were typically larger in size.

Behavior
All species of giant frog held a great fear towards fire and would try to get as far away from it as they could.

Combat
These monstrous frogs were well camouflaged, so it was likely that their prey would be surprised. They would stand motionlessly while hunting, waiting for potential prey to pass them. They would then use their large adhesive tongues to capture and restrain foes. The tongues of these beasts could grow up to long.

In combat, these beasts bit their foes, and usually grappled them in the process. Small creatures were often swallowed whole after being restrained by the frog's bite, causing the internal acids to wear away at it.

History
Ruke Diggot suffered the fate of being swallowed whole by one of these hulking amphibians.

Sub-Species

 * Giant dark frog
 * Giant frogs that were a type of dark creature, beings inherently tied to and lurking within the Plane of Shadow.


 * Fire toad
 * A variety of giant frog that was capable of launching fireballs from its mouth. Unlike other frog species, they had hydrophobia rather than a fear of fire.


 * Ice toad
 * A variety of giant frog that was native to cold habitats.


 * Killer frog
 * A mutant breed of giant frog that had talons and teeth. They primarily fed upon humans.


 * Poisonous frog
 * Otherwise known as poisonous toads, were a variety of giant frog that largely looked the same as the mundane variety. However, their bodies secreted a type of poison through their skin. They were less common than the standard giant frog.

Ecology
Giant frogs formed packs, although they didn't have a sophisticated hierarchy.



Diet
These creatures mostly ate insects, small creatures, and fish, as well as birds and rats.

They were also capable of devouring other large creatures whole, including humans, halflings, and elves.

Habitats
Giant frogs were found in almost all natural areas of fresh water: lakes, rivers, marshes, and swamps.

They were known to inhabit many places all around Faerûn, including the Mere of Dead Men, the Vast Swamp, the Mortick Swamp, Phlan, the Nagaflow, and in the Underdark, particularly Undermountain.

Outside of Faerûn, giant frogs were known to be found in many of the tropical forests and swamps of Maztica.

Relationships
Large aquatic creatures, such as giant species of fish, giant turtles, and Giant snakes were often known to prey upon them. Although giant frogs hunted very frequently, they knew their boundaries and place in the food chain, thus they did their best to avoid such predators.

Some giant frogs were known to keep the company of bullywugs. Bullywugs, as they were able to communicate with frogs and toads, formed bonds with these large frogs. Bullywugs trained the frogs to be protectors that could also hunt food for them. The ability of these frogs to swallow their prey whole allowed for the bullywugs to transport their future meals back to camp simply and efficiently.

Rumors & Legends
In the Flooded Forest, it was rumored that such creatures formed circles and cast spells.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Hoard of the Dragon Queen
 * Storm King's Thunder
 * Tomb of Annihilation
 * Waterdeep: Dungeon of the Mad Mage
 * Trading cards
 * AD&D Trading Cards 1991 series #618
 * Video games
 * Pool of Radiance
 * Gateway to the Savage Frontier
 * Idle Champions of the Forgotten Realms