The Pacman frog is native to South America. They get their name from the round head and mouth that resembles the video game character Pacman. They come in a variety of colors, including an interesting albino version. If you are interested in a low-maintenance pet that is perfect for beginners, then read on to learn more about these frogs!
Source: The Last Viking
Species Name: | Ceratophrys ornata |
Common Name: | Albino Pacman Frog |
Care Level: | Easy |
Lifespan: | 7 to 10 years |
Adult Size: | Male: 2.5 to 4 inches, Female: 4 to 7 inches |
Diet: | Insects, fish, worms |
Minimum Tank Size: | 10 to 20-gallons |
Temperature & Humidity: | 75º to 80º Fahrenheit; 60% to 70% humidity |
Does the albino Pacman frog make a good pet?
The albino Pacman frogs get their name from their large, round mouths. These mouths are used to bite anything that comes too close. Therefore, they are excellent pets to observe, but not to handle. They are easy to care for and do not require a large tank. It is important to know that you should not keep more than one Albino Pacman Frog in your tank. They can harm each other if left together.
Appearance
The albino form of Pacman Frog has yellow skin with pink spots. Their abdomens are pale yellow or cream in color. They have pink or red eyes and very large mouths. Typically, females are up to 6 or 7 inches larger than males at full maturity. Males usually reach full size at about 2.5 to 4 inches.
How to Care for the Albino Pacman Frog
Habitat, tank conditions and setup
As long as their tanks are kept clean and the temperature and humidity are maintained appropriately, Albino Pacman Frogs are relatively easy to care for.
Tank
The albino Pacman frog requires a 10- to 20-gallon tank with a tight-fitting lid. To prevent the tank from getting too wet and the air too stagnant, at least half of the lid should be a screen. They are susceptible to infection so it is important to clean the tank and change the substrate regularly.
Lighting
The albino Pacman frog has skin and eyes that are very sensitive to light. Therefore, they do not need tank lights. The regular light in the room they are in must be plenty. Heat lamps can be used to help maintain the correct temperature if the room they are in is too cool.
Heating (Temperature & Humidity)
These frogs do best in high temperatures in the 70s F. Anything above 85º can be dangerous for them, so you’ll need to monitor the tank temperature carefully. Humidity should be kept between 60% and 70%. Your tank should have a shallow dish of water that your frogs can easily sit in to help them stay cool and maintain humidity.
Substrate
The albino Pacman frog loves to burrow! Their tank media should be at least 4 inches of coir. This allows them to burrow. The substrate needs to be kept moist to maintain the proper humidity level in the tank. Substrate should be changed regularly to prevent any risk of infection.
Feed your albino Pacman frog
The albino Pacman Frog has a great appetite! Adults should be fed about 5 crickets or cockroaches per day. Any food they have not eaten within 15 minutes can be removed from the tank. You should coat the insects with a high-quality calcium powder before you feed the frogs to make sure the frogs get the calcium they need. Pacman frogs can also sometimes eat a small mouse, fish, or certain worms.
Keeping Your Albino Pacman Frog Healthy
Pacman frogs are generally quite healthy and easy to care for. There are only a few potential health problems that you need to be aware of.
Longevity
In captivity, the Albino Pacman Frogs can live from 7 to 10 years if they are kept in a clean tank that is monitored for temperature and humidity. The biggest cause of shortened life span of baby frogs is due to unclean environment. Regular cleaning of the tank, water and substrate is very important for the health of your pet frog.
Breed
The albino Pacman frog is very difficult to keep in captivity unless you are a pro. Temperature and humidity levels should be moderate. Females in the wild lay eggs in water sources during the rainy season. In one season, she can lay up to 1000 eggs!
Is the albino Pacman frog friendly? Our handling tips
The albino Pacman frog has very sensitive skin. Handling can harm or irritate their skin. They also have a large mouth with a strong bite that can hurt human fingers. They will try to bite anything that moves and will think your finger is prey. You shouldn’t try to pick them up unless absolutely necessary.
Moulting & Hibernation: What Happens
The albino Pacman Frog Sheds its skin every few weeks. They will usually eat it after they have shed their feathers. If their tank is not sufficiently moist or provided with enough food, the Pacman Frog will develop a thick outer skin. The frog will then stay put until the right humidity returns. This is how they protect themselves from drought conditions.
Pacman frogs will also hibernate in the wild when temperatures are too cold. However, this is not necessary for frogs in captivity. If you notice that the frog has grown a thick layer of skin and is not moving around, you should check to make sure the temperature and humidity are high enough.