They typically combine a toad-like body shape with a frog-like, pointed face (hence the German name 'Krötenfrösche', literally 'toad frogs').

Their sister group are the Pelodytoidea, consisting of North American spadefood toads and parsley frogs.

A striking characteristic is the vertically slit pupil in daylight.

The tongue is thick, circular, and almost entirely adhering to the floor of the mouth.

When mating the males clutches the females in the lumbar region, just before the hind legs (inguinal Amplexus).