Pacman frogs (Ceratophrys ornata) are medium-sized, diurnal, terrestrial amphibians native to parts of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. They are native to moist grasslands, where they bury most of their body in the earth and ambush prey from their camouflaged position.
Pacman frogs can grow up to 6” long, with males being smaller than females. They have squat round bodies, large heads and mouths, small legs, and protruding eyes. They are typically a combination of brown, orange, yellow, black, white, and/or green to create a classic camouflaged appearance, although different colors and patterns have been made available through captive breeding.
Pacman frogs are popular as pets due to the fact that they require relatively little space and are fairly easy to care for, making them beginner-level amphibians. With good care, your Pacman frog may live up to 10 years or more!
How much space do Pacman frogs need?
Although Pacman frogs are quite sedentary as far as frogs go, they still need space to move around, as they are known to relocate from their ambush spot after defecating. The minimum enclosure size for one Pacman frog is 20 gallons, or 30” L x 12” W x 12” H.
Cohabitation (keeping multiple Pacman frogs in one enclosure) is not recommended, as these frogs are known to be cannibalistic.
What temperatures do Pacman frogs need?
Pacman frogs are ectotherms, which means that they rely on the temperature of their environment to help regulate their metabolism and stay healthy. If they’re too cold, they won’t have enough energy to stay active and digest their food. If they’re too warm, they can die from heat stress.
The ambient temperature of the enclosure should stay between 75-80°F during the day and may drop as low as 65°F at night. Temperatures should never go higher than 85°F!
What humidity levels do Pacman frogs need?
As amphibians, Pacman frogs are very dependent on water — especially when they’re still just tadpoles! Pacman frogs don’t really need areas of standing water, but they still need moist substrate and high humidity. That being said, the enclosure should not be kept sopping wet, as this encourages bacterial growth, which in turn will make your frog sick.
Ambient humidity should stay between 60-80% at all times,
What do Pacman frogs eat?
Pacman frogs are carnivores, which means that they need to eat animal prey in order to get the nutrition that they need. Live insects should be offered every other day. Appropriately-sized mice can be offered no more than every other week and should replace that week’s insect offerings. Feeders should be at least slightly smaller than the frog’s head.
Insect options for Pacman frogs:
Mealworms
Superworms
Crickets
Roaches
Silkworms
Hornworms
Supplements
Pacman frogs need vitamin and mineral supplements to enjoy optimal health.
Do Pacman frogs like to be handled?
Generally speaking, handling is very stressful for frogs, so it should be avoided. Handling is very stressful for them, so it’s best to content yourself with watching them hop around than try to get hands-on.
If at any point you absolutely must grab your frogs, put on a pair of disposable gloves, cup the frog’s body firmly but gently, and keep handling time to an absolute minimum. Thicker gloves may be needed if your frog has a habit of attacking fingers, as they have a quite powerful bite.
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