Donna Merrill, age 13, of Canistota, S.D., for her question:

DO FROGS AND TOADS CAUSE WARTS?

Warts are caused by a virus. They can be contagious, particularly when broken open, and may spread to various parts of the body. You cannot get warts by touching frogs or toads.

There are more than 2,000 species of frogs and toads.

True toads are commonly covered with warts, but true frogs have smooth skin. Unlike most true frogs, the majority of true toads live on land. The adults go to water only to breed. Most true toads have a broader, flatter body and darker, drier skin than do most true frogs.

Frogs and toads benefit man. They eat large numbers of insects which might otherwise become serious pests.