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Pacman Frog Care Guide: Tips for Beginners

Pacman frogs are one of the most popular pet frogs in the world. They’ve been bred into several beautiful color morphs, and their bizarre body shape makes them especially fascinating compared to many other frogs.

Known for their low-maintenance care and beginner-friendly nature, Pacman frogs are equally adored by experienced exotic pet keepers. Their unique combination of bright colors, ease of care, and quirky behaviors make them a standout choice for amphibian enthusiasts. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about caring for a Pacman frog to ensure a healthy and happy life for your pet.

Pacman Frog Care Sheet

  • Common Names: South American Horned Frog, Pacman Frog
  • Scientific Names: Ceratophrys cranwelli, Ceratophrys cornuta, Ceratophrys ornata
  • Natural Range: Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Suriname, Colombia, Venezuela
  • Lifespan: 5–7 years (occasionally longer in captivity)
  • Adult Size: 4–8 inches (measured from snout to vent)
  • Temperament: Somewhat aggressive; may bite if handled.

1. Housing

Pacman frogs are relatively large frogs, but they’re sedentary. They spend much of their time half-buried in the substrate—a behavior that helps them ambush prey in the wild. Their bodies, with disproportionately large heads and small legs, aren’t built for extensive activity.

image: Dan | Flickr | CC 2.0

That doesn’t mean they can tolerate cramped spaces. They still require room to move, multiple hiding spots, and access to a water dish for soaking. The general rule of thumb for housing Pacman frogs is a minimum of a 10-gallon tank. While a 20-gallon tank can provide extra comfort, anything larger is unnecessary for these sedentary frogs.

Your tank setup should include a hide, open space, a shallow water dish, and vegetation (live or artificial). The water dish must be shallow enough to prevent drowning, as Pacman frogs are not aquatic and do not swim. Instead, they use the water to cool off and keep their skin moist.

Recommendations:

  • Terrarium: This terrarium from Repti Zoo is an excellent choice for adult Pacman frogs. It offers ample space, front-opening doors for easy feeding and cleaning, and a raised bottom frame for adding a substrate heater.
  • Hide: While your Pacman frog will spend much of its time burrowed, a rock hideout provides an additional sense of safety.
  • Vegetation: Fake plants work fine, but live plants like pothos ivy help keep the terrarium’s air fresh and assist with waste processing, while also providing extra hiding spots.

For more enclosure options and detailed setup ideas, check out related articles on Pacman frog habitats.

2. Temperature and Lighting

Pacman frogs thrive in temperatures ranging from 75–85°F. Because frogs cannot regulate their body heat, it’s crucial to create a temperature gradient in their terrarium. This means one side of the enclosure should be warmer, while the other side remains cooler to allow your frog to move between the two and regulate its body temperature effectively.

Unlike reptiles, amphibians like Pacman frogs don’t bask in the sun, so a basking lamp isn’t necessary. Instead, a substrate heater placed under one side of the terrarium is ideal. Typically, the heater is positioned beneath the hide on the warmer side, while the water dish is placed on the cooler side. This setup allows your frog to warm up while staying hidden if needed and provides an efficient way to cool off by soaking in the water dish.

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Since Pacman frogs naturally live on the forest floor, they don’t require specialized lighting. A simple compact fluorescent bulb is sufficient to maintain a normal day/night cycle.

Recommendations:

3. Diet and Feeding

Pacman frogs are voracious eaters, willing to consume almost anything that fits in their mouths. Their diet should primarily consist of insects. Crickets are a popular and readily available choice, though roaches are equally suitable. Many owners prefer crickets, often because they find roaches less appealing.

Ensure that the insects you feed your frog are gut-loaded, meaning they’ve been fed nutritious foods before being offered to your frog. This enhances the nutritional value of the insects. Additionally, dusting crickets or roaches with a calcium supplement is essential to prevent deficiencies.

pacman frog eating mouse
pacman frog eating mouse | image by Torkild Retvedt via Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0

Some owners like to treat their Pacman frogs with mice. While this can be a nutritious treat, it should not become a dietary staple. If you choose to feed live mice, supervise closely, as mice can injure your frog.

Recommendations:

  • Crickets: Live crickets provide stimulation as your frog hunts them. For convenience, keep freeze-dried crickets on hand for times when live ones are unavailable.
  • Calcium Supplement: Use a reliable calcium supplement to dust your frog’s food, ensuring they receive adequate nutrition.

4. Substrate

Substrate forms the ground layer of your Pacman frog’s habitat, where they will spend most of their time. It’s essential to choose the right substrate to ensure your frog’s comfort and health.

Pacman frogs require substrate that meets two key criteria: 1) It must retain moisture without rotting or promoting mold growth, and 2) It must allow the frog to burrow. Common substrates like mulch, gravel, or reptile mats are unsuitable for this species.

The best choice for Pacman frogs is coconut fiber substrate. It’s soft, retains moisture effectively, and resists mold growth. Additionally, it helps neutralize odors and maintains a fresh terrarium environment. Ensure the substrate is deep enough to allow your frog to burrow comfortably; at least 1.5 inches is recommended, with more depth for larger frogs.

Recommendations:

  • Coconut Fiber Substrate: Trusted and reliable, this substrate meets all the needs of a Pacman frog. Spread it at least 1.5 inches deep, or deeper for larger frogs, to provide ample burrowing space.

5. Maintenance

One common oversight among new frog owners is maintenance. Like any other living creature, your Pacman frog will produce waste, including urine and feces, which can accumulate inside its terrarium. Since the terrarium is a closed environment, regular cleaning is essential to prevent harmful conditions.

To maintain a clean habitat, plan to clean the terrarium weekly. Begin by carefully removing your frog and placing it in a secure, temporary container. Next, take out all the furnishings—rocks, hides, vegetation, and the water dish—and dispose of all the substrate. Clean the interior of the terrarium with warm water (avoid using soap or disinfectant, as these can harm your frog). Similarly, scrub the furnishings and water dish with a damp sponge if needed. Once everything is clean, add fresh substrate, return the furnishings, and place your frog back in its home.

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Recommendations:

  • Sponges: Frogs have sensitive skin, making soap or disinfectants a bad idea. Use these specially designed sponges to scrub your terrarium and furnishings without harsh chemicals.

6. Handling

It can be tempting to handle your Pacman frog frequently, but it’s best to avoid doing so unless necessary. Frogs have delicate, porous skin that absorbs water, oxygen, and any substances from your hands. This means soap, natural skin oils, or any residues can be absorbed directly into the frog’s bloodstream, potentially causing harm.

Additionally, Pacman frogs are not particularly docile. They can bite—and they do have teeth. While the bites are not usually dangerous, they can be painful and prone to infection. For both your safety and the frog’s health, handle them sparingly.

Recommendations:

  • Gloves: If handling your frog is necessary, use gloves to avoid transferring toxins or oils from your hands.

7. Other Things to Know

If the terrarium and substrate are allowed to dry out too much, your Pacman frog may enter a state called brumation (similar to hibernation in reptiles and amphibians). During brumation, the frog forms a tough outer layer of skin, stops eating, and becomes inactive. While this might appear alarming, your frog is still alive. Rehydrate the frog by restoring proper moisture levels, and it will shed and consume the tough outer skin, resuming normal behavior.

Pacman frog | image: jeri leandera | Flickr | CC 2.0

Pacman Frogs as Pets

Pacman frogs are wonderful pets, prized for their unique appearance and low-maintenance care. They are a favorite among amphibian enthusiasts of all experience levels. For beginners, they’re particularly appealing due to their relatively simple needs and manageable lifespan of 5–7 years.

Their willingness to eat almost anything, lack of specialized equipment requirements, and captivating appearance make Pacman frogs an excellent choice for anyone interested in exotic pets.