increase the humidity in the terrarium<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOne thing I do recommend is to create a “humid hide”<\/strong> by placing a large clump of sphagnum moss in the side of the tank where their heater is. Doing this gives your pet frog the option to move from one spot to another, should the humidity level be too much or not enough on either side of the terrarium.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPacman Diet<\/h2>\n\n\n\n A diet consisting of a variety of insects is recommended. They are ambush predators which feed on crickets, roaches, waxworms, mealworms, and the occasional pinky mice. In captivity, it’s hard for a Pacman frog to obtain all the nutrients they need from just crickets, roaches, and worms you find at the pet store. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Due to this, you should always gut-load and dust crickets with supplements before feeding them to your pet. Calcium is very important for healthy bones. I recommend dusting with a calcium supplement at least 2 – 3 times per week.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crickets<\/li> Mealworms<\/li> Waxworms<\/li> Pinkie Mice<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\nOnce your Pacman Frog is big enough, they can eat pinkie mice. Try not to make common-practice of this. Yes, it’s fun to watch them eat. After all, this is why they are named after Pac-Man. But pinkie mice are high in fat and should only be used occasionally.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nAs for the number of insects you should feed them, it depends on their size and age. I recommend watching them eat and adjusting the amount of food based on how much they consume and by their overall appearance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If they look too fat, cut back their food a little. If they’re too small, give them more food. Start by feeding them a few, appropriately sized crickets every other day. Make sure they’re getting plenty to eat but remove anything left over several hours after feeding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another important thing to note: These frogs can be cannibalistic<\/strong>. They’ve been known to eat their mates sometimes. So, this should go without saying but, keep your Pacman Frogs separated<\/strong>. Any prey up to half the size of your pet can easily fall victim. Sometimes they will attempt to swallow prey more than half their size, which can result in choking and death.<\/p>\n\n\n\nBreeding Pacman Frogs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Breeding Pacman Frogs can be a tricky task considering they can be cannibalistic. There is always the danger that you might lose a pet if you’re not careful. For this reason, you should always make sure your frogs are well-fed, especially before placing them in the breeding container.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In order to get your pets to breed, you’ll need to mimic the winter and springtime weather conditions. This isn’t as difficult as it sounds but it does require time and a clever breeding tank. Most people recommend a rain chamber<\/strong> while others opt for using a simple storage container with a shallow water bottom<\/strong>. Whatever you decide, it needs to be mostly water as the goal is to replicate a heavy, springtime rain.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSexing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n Determining whether or not you have both male and female frogs is the first step. This is relatively easy to do, especially with these species. A male is smaller in size and they have a black pad on their front legs, near their pads (fingers). <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pads are on the inside of their arms. Also, most males will croak or “chirp” while females usually will not. Females, on the other hand, are much larger than males. Often-times they’re twice the size, growing over 7 inches in length.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mating<\/h3>\n\n\n\n In order to get your frogs to breed, you’ll need to ‘cycle’ them. Cycling refers to a method of replicating their natural environment during the winter and spring seasons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For 2 – 4 months you should mimic the winter months with temperatures around 60 degrees Fahrenheit. A shorter length of daylight hours will prove helpful as well. Maintain these conditions for at least 60 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you’ve finished the winter months, it’s time to replicate the springtime, which is breeding season. Raise the temperature back to normal or slightly above; somewhere around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure your Pacman frogs are very well fed before introducing them into the same enclosure.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIt’s important to pay close attention to them and make sure they don’t try to eat each another. Place them together in a container with a rain chamber or full-water bottom. The water should be very shallow, allowing them to easily walk around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the rise in temperature, humidity, and increased water, your frogs should begin mating within a day. It’s important to ensure your frogs aren’t at risk of drowning. Give them a small land space and add an aquatic plant if possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Surinam Horned Frogs in the amplexus position.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\nShould you be successful, you will likely find your pets in the amplexus position (pictures above). This is where the male grasps the female from behind. The female passes eggs through her cloaca and the male fertilized the eggs outside the body. The eggs will most likely be laid around the aquatic plant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once the eggs have been laid, you should separate the frogs back into their terrariums and continue caring for them like normal. The eggs will hatch in about 24 – 48 hours<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTadpoles & Froglets<\/h3>\n\n\n\n At this point, you will begin caring for the tadpoles. It’s important to remember, even the Ceratophrys <\/em>tadpoles are cannibalistic. This is fine, actually, unless you’re determined to raise every single tadpole. If this is your goal, you should separate them individually. If not, I recommend separating them into several large groups so they’re easier to manage.<\/p>\n\n\n\nDo your best to keep the water temperature between 75 – 85 degrees Fahrenheit<\/strong>. Perform partial water changes as needed and, as always, make sure the water is clean and dechlorinated. Also, the water should be between 2 – 3 inches deep<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nFeed the tadpoles a pinch of lettuce or cabbage each day. Other commercial tadpole foods will work as well. Only feed them what they will eat in 3 – 4 hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In roughly 30 days time, the tadpoles will metamorphose into small froglets. Once they begin developing their front legs, it’s time to add some land areas. Some keeper accomplishes this by simply tilting the container on one side, which creates a slanted land area on one side and water on the other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Either way, a nice ramp will suffice. When their tails have completely disappeared, they can be moved to a normal terrarium. At this point, you can begin feeding them appropriately sized insects like pinhead crickets, fruit flies, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nHandling Your Pacman Frog<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Pacman Frogs will only tolerate the occasional handling. It’s best to just leave them alone as much as possible. As always, make sure you take the necessary safety precautions before holding them. Their skin is fragile. Toxins on your skin can be absorbed by your frog, which can potentially be harmful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you need to clean their enclosure or transfer them from one container to another, that’s fine. Clean your hands and leave them slightly damp before holding your frog or, if possible, wear non-powered vinyl gloves. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The main point is to make sure you don’t transfer any toxins from your hands to your frog. Be mindful of your frog’s temperament and try to avoid causing unwanted stress as much as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n This section is meant to answer some of the most common questions regarding Pacman Frogs and keeping them in captivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Do Pacman Frogs like to be handled?<\/strong> No. In fact, most amphibians do not like being handles. Pacman Frog in particular are more aggressive than other frogs. It’s not uncommon for Pacman Frogs to bite, too. I’ve personally been dealt a swift bite on my finger while feeding mine. Regardless, no, they don’t want you to handle them.<\/p> <\/div>
Do Pacman Frogs drink water?<\/strong> Most amphibians don’t drink water in the same way humans do. Instead, they absorb water through their surroundings. They have semi-permeable skin that helps them stay submerged in water for long periods of time. They certainly need a water bowl to stay hydrated but they might not drink their water like other animals do.<\/p> <\/div>
How often should I feed my Pacman Frog mice?<\/strong> Pacman Frogs don’t need to eat mice. In fact, feeding them mice too often could have a negative impact on their health. Only feed appropriately-sized mice to full-grown Pacman Frogs. Most hobbyists only use “pinky mice” because they’re small and less likely to cause problems for their pet. Moreover, do this sparingly.<\/p> <\/div>
Can I feed my Pacman Frog earthworms?<\/strong> Do not use earthworms from your back yard. They might contain parasites that your Pacman Frog is not adapted to handle. That rules applies to all feeder insects. Otherwise, yes, they can eat earthworms.<\/p> <\/div>
Can Pacman Frogs eat dried mealworms?<\/strong> Frogs are ambush predators and rarely eat dead insects. Furthermore, Pacman Frogs in captivity actually need high-quality, nutrient-dense food sources because their captive diet doesn’t provide the variety of food sources they would have in the wild. Use healthy, live insects and consider supplementing with reptile vitamin powders.<\/p> <\/div>
How much do you feed baby Pacman Frogs?<\/strong> Juvenile Pacman Frogs should not go more than two days without eating. They’re growing quickly and need high-quality foods to keep growing. If you choose to feed them crickets, ensure the crickets aren’t too big. They should fit into your frog’s mouth without a struggle. Feed 3 or 4 at a time and monitor how many are left over. See the diet guide in this post for more information regarding this topic.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n <\/figure>\n\n\n\nIn the Wild<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Ceratophrys<\/em> can be found all over South America. From Venezuela to Colombia and Peru, and the surrounding areas. They’re found in tropical and subtropical grasslands, marshes, shrublands, lowland forests, ponds, and freshwater marshes.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThey’re ambush predators, spending most of their time lying and waiting for prey to pass by them. Being nocturnal, they are mostly active at night.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n Keeping Pacman Frogs as pets is an enjoyable experience. They have a neat appearance and they’re fun to watch, especially during feeding time. Caring for them isn’t hard once you know their basic needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Moreover, because they like to sit and wait for prey to walk by, you don’t need a huge enclosure. A 10 to 15 gallon tank is large enough for one. Mind you, Pacman Frogs are fairly aggressive towards other animals. They shouldn’t be housed together.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Pacman Frogs are great for beginners and one of the most popular amphibians in the hobby. The main reasons for their popularity is due to…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2625,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[7,6],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n
Pacman Frog Pet Care Guide, Diet, and Husbandry<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n