Ceratophrys sp. - Horned Frog "Pac Man Frog"
Pac Man Frog is the term used to describe many of the horned frogs of South America. They are a robust, sturdy frog that come in a variety of morphs in the captive trade. They are found in the tropical areas of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Colombia and are a fairly inactive, terrestrial frog often found buried and waiting for food.
Bringing Home Your New Pet
When you bring your new frog home, you should already have a quarantine tank set up and ready to go. Place fresh water in a bowl in the tank, mist the tank and offer food, but be aware it is completely normal for them to refuse food for the first couple days, or even longer. You should keep this new frog separate from any other reptiles you may have for 90 days, to ensure there is nothing it could spread to your other animals. Monitor its eating and fecals as they may be strange for up to a couple weeks, but this is due to a new diet, supplements, and environment. It is recommended you do not handle your new frog for the first 24-48 hours and keeping it to a minimum until it has started eating on its own. Always keep in mind, your new animal is in a new tank, with new decor/dishes/hides, and new faces watching them. They need time to become acclimated to it all. After this quarantine process, they can be safely introduced to their permanent enclosure if it's not already. Be sure to wash your hands before handling any other reptiles during this time. |
Substrate
Pac man frogs spend most of their time buried in the substrate, so a nice, deep loose substrate is important. Eco earth, jungle mix or other soil mixtures are best, with sections of sphagnum moss for added humidity. Make sure the substrate is deep enough for your frog to burrow and hide, and is kept moist. Do not use pebbles or gravel as the risk of impaction is high. A layer of leaf litter on top will add security for your frog. Spot clean weekly. |
Heating
Pac man frogs are cold blooded, so they rely on their environment to regulate body temperature. Most pac man frogs do fine at room temperature, but will appreciate a temperature gradient if one is offered. Be sure the tank is big enough to allow them to move where they are most comfortable, and the substrate is deep enough to allow burrowing so they can pick the spot that is most comfortable to them. An under tank heater on a thermostat on one side of the tank with temperatures on the hot end being around 78-85° and the rest of the tank staying around 70-72° is ideal. In cooler months or if the room your frog is housed in stays on the cooler range, this additional heat is recommended. Always use a thermostat - if the mat gets too hot, your frog will be injured. Basking spots dry out the air too quickly for this humidity-loving frog, so if you do use a lot watt basking bulb for additional heat instead of an under tank heater, be sure to keep an eye on the humidity and mist more often. |
Lighting
Pac man frogs are nocturnal, meaning they are most active at night, when they are active at all! They should be exposed to 10-12 hours of light per day. A low output UVB light can be offered for additional health benefits. Be sure all lights are on a timer to offer a natural day and night light cycle.
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Cage Decor
Decorating a pac man frog enclosure can be as simple as substrate, a hide and a water bowl. They are a very sturdy frog, and will likely crush any plants added to the enclosure. Offering fake plants, pieces of cork bark and other lightweight hides for them to burrow under is optional but will make your tank look nice and offer your frog some visual enrichment. |
Humidity and Shedding
Pac man frogs are tropical, and require a moderate humidity level of around 60%. Keeping the substrate moist and misting the enclosure daily will keep the humidity level comfortable for your frog. Pac man frogs will shed their skin and ingest it, so if you notice your frog is particularly slimy looking, they are likely about to shed! |
Feeding
Pac man frogs are insectivores and very opportunistic eaters. If it fits in their mouth, they will try and eat it. Dubia or turkestan red runner roaches, crickets, mealworms, earth worms and other types of reptile-safe insects should be the staple of their diets. Feeder fish offer another varied option to offer! Pinky mice can be offered to your smaller frog as an occasional treat, but they are high in fat and should not be a staple part of their diet. Larger frogs will require more meat source in their diets, so if you happen to have a very large frog, be sure to adjust their diet accordingly. There are commercial powder based pac man frog foods you can mix with water and roll into a ball that offers a balanced diet for frogs of all sizes. Insects should be gutloaded with a commercial gutload product. Gutloading refers to the practice of feeding the insects a nutritious diet before offering them to your frog, to ensure the most balanced nutrition. Your frog should be fed based on temperatures and size of frog. Young, growing frogs kept in warmer conditions will eat more often and more at a time than a larger frog kept cooler. You want your frog to be nice and round, but not overly fat. It is highly recommended you tweezer or tong feed your frog. Not only is this fun for you as a keeper, but it ensures the frog does not ingest substrate and become impacted. Typically, offering 3-5 food items 3-4 times a week is sufficient. |
Handling
Pac man frogs have sensitive skin so handling should be avoided. However if you do handle your frog be sure to wash any lotions or perfumes off your skin first, and handle them with care. Some pac man frogs can be feisty - they will lunge and bark at you if they feel threatened. These frogs do have teeth and can draw blood, so handle with care as each has their own temperament. |
Morphs and Species
There are eight known species of Pacman frogs, all part of the Ceratophrys genus.
In the pet industry and captive bred trade, some of these come in a variety of colorful, beautiful morphs that range from reds and oranges to greens and yellows. There are a lot of very beautiful pac man frogs out there! |