Pacman frog, Ceratophrys sp., husbandry guide from the experts, covering housing, heating, lighting and more.
Source: Lori’s Hartland
Do you want something cute, creepy, and different from any pet you’ve had before? Then the horned frog or the Pac-Man frog might be for you. Native to the forests of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil, these cartoon-faced fat frogs are voracious ambush predators, hiding among the leaves so unsuspecting prey strays too close. their mouths.
The green and brown markings on wild specimens camouflage them perfectly, and they spend most of their lives lying on the forest floor, motionless, waiting for a meal. They will eat anything from worms and insects to small snakes, mice, frogs and even their own kind, so they should be kept separately.
There are several different species of Pacman frogs commonly found in the pet trade, such as the most common Cranwell pacman frog (C. cranwelli), ornate pacman frog (C. ornata), Surinam pacman frog (C. cornuta) ) and more .
House
Although they barely move, adult horned frogs can grow up to 8 inches in diameter making them worthy of a terrarium at least 60x45cm. Height doesn’t matter because they don’t climb, but the medium should be deep soil for them to get into.
Digging is very important for these frogs, and a loose, soil-like substrate will be the only way for them to have this opportunity. There are several variations of soil substrates and are good to research as some can benefit any live plant you introduce into your habitat.
You can add layers of drainage, including a drainage bed and mat to increase moisture, but keep in mind that these frogs dig very well and can reach these layers if the soil is not deep enough.
As with soil, moss and leaf litter will make a good addition to your terrarium. These help to mimic the frog’s natural environment and benefit moisture and create better cover conditions to reduce stress.
Once your forest floor is created, decorations such as cork bark, rocks and foliage will provide a good enrichment opportunity for your animals. They will also give your animals mental stimulation, which is beneficial to their health, as well as make your barn aesthetically pleasing. A water dish can be provided in larger refrigerators, helping to create humidity and give the frog an opportunity to sit in the water if it wants to.
Heating and lighting
To provide the best habitat for your frogs, use spotlights to create a 28°C sunbathing area. This temperature should only be on one side of the tank to allow for escape, with a thermal gradient. The general temperature in the remainder of the enclosure is between 22 and 25°C. The bulb should always be temperature controlled to avoid overheating.
During the night, your heating can be turned off and your terrarium allowed to cool between 15 – 20 °C. It is natural for them to experience this nighttime drop and create a night/night cycle. good day.
Next is a UV bulb. The benefits of UV light for your frog is that it creates a more natural scene, it is beneficial to the frog’s health, and it will be exposed to UV rays in the wild, albeit at low levels. Both bulbs should be used on a 12-hour cycle, turning off at night to create a day and night interval. UV bulbs have a lifespan of 6-12 months depending on the brand, so note the date you buy the bulb.
Country
The water used to spray surfaces and water dishes must be properly dechlorinated beforehand, which can be done using a reptile-safe liquid dechlorinator. Water dishes must be cleaned regularly to prevent bacterial growth, and the temperature and humidity in the cabinet are measured with thermometers and hygrometers.
Mold grows in warm, moist environments, so remove any visible organisms, dig up the soil, and add cleaner insects that will eat the mold as it grows.
Feeding
Your frog should be fed an insect diet that includes crickets, locusts, cockroaches, and earthworms. Dust all food with good quality multivitamin and calcium powder so your frogs get all the nutrients they need through their diet. Calcium is needed for bone growth and multivitamins will support body functions.
Frogs are also susceptible to neurological problems, so supplementing with vitamin A will benefit their bone and tissue development. Vitamin A supports vision, skin health and the immune system. For a protein boost, you can occasionally feed your frog with a little mouse, but don’t do this too often as it will result in higher fat and protein levels than needed.
