Care sheet for the Pac-Man frog (Ceratophrys ornata).
Pac-Man Frogs (Ceratophrys ornata)
Pac-Man frogs come in a variety of color forms and are known by many common names (Argentine horned frogs, ornate horned frogs, horned frogs). Wild-caught imports continue to come in, but captive-bred Pac-Man frogs are readily available through many online vendors as well as at most brick-and-mortar pet stores. Due to their forgiving nature, ease of care, and the availability of captive-bred specimens, Pac-Man frogs make great pets.
Pac-Man Frog Size
Captive-bred baby Pac-Man frogs are sold at around the size of a quarter, and these frogs can reach adult size in one to one and a half years. Adult males are smaller (2½ inches to 4 inches in length depending on the species) than female Pac-Man frogs, which can reach lengths of 4 inches to 7 inches.
Pac-Man Frog Life Span
Under optimal conditions with the right amphibians supplies, Pac-Man frogs can live approximately 15 years in a captive environment.
Pac-Man Frog Caging
Pac-Man frogs are sit-and-wait predators. They spend the majority of their time burrowed into the substrate with their eyes (and horns in some species) above the substrate. Because of this, caging does not need be spacious. Babies can be kept in small, plastic reptile enclosures, whereas adults can be caged in enclosures of 10 to 20 gallons.
Pac-Man frogs love to burrow. Therefore they require a substrate that they can dig in to. Coir (ground coconut) makes a great substrate such as Zoo Med’s Exo Earth Loose Coconut Fiber Reptile Substrate. This substrate should remain damp, but not soaking wet. Many people recommend keeping a water bowl in with the Pac-Man frog. I have kept Pac-Mans with and without water bowls. As long as you keep the substrate moist, a water bowl isn’t a necessity.
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Albino Pac-Man frogs.
It is widely circulated that Pac-Man frogs need temperatures in the 75 to 85 degree Fahrenheit range. While this is true of their natural environment, Pac-Man frogs spend the majority of their time buried in the cool ground. In captive environments the substrate doesn’t provide the same protection due to lack of depth and the ability for air to move under the tank. Therefore, normal room temperatures of 65 to 85 degrees are recommended. Pac-Man frogs will also use hiding spots, so reptile hides should be provided. Live plants, such as Pothos, not only provide hiding spots but also help to process feces and CO2.
Pac-Man Frog Food
One quality that sets Pac-Man frogs apart from other frogs is their voracious appetite. A staple of crickets and/or roaches is best, but they can also eat fish, worms and even small mice. The amount of food you feed them is based on the size and temperature of the frog. If allowed to cool down and dry out a little bit, Pac-Man frogs can enter a brumation state where they will refuse food. The best gauge for how much to feed your Pac-Man frog is to study your Pac-Man frog’s appearance. You want your Pac-Man to be round. If your frog is looking unnaturally large, cut back on the feeding. In nature Pac-Man frogs gorge themselves when food is plentiful to compensate for when food is scarce.
Pac-Man Frog Handling and Temperament
Pac-Man frogs have teeth, and large Pac-Man frogs can and will draw blood if you stick your hand in front of them. As with all frogs, handling should occur only when absolutely necessary, as their skin is very sensitive.
Pac-Man Frog Behavior
Live Pac-Man frogs are sometimes mistaken for dead Pac-Man frogs. When their substrate dries out and/or food is scarce, the Pac-Man will encase itself in a tough outer skin to protect it from drying out. They won’t move and they look like they are dead. Once rehydrated, however, they will shed this outer skin (and eat it!).
Josh Willard is the source for frog care and information. Visit his website at JoshsFrogs.com.
