Pacman frog care sheet pdf

PacMan frogs bury down into the leaf litter on the jungle floor with nothing but their eyes above ground. They patiently wait for an insect or small animal to pass by for a meal.

They use their large, powerful jaws to clamp down on food until the prey stops moving. At this time, the PacMan frog swallows the food whole in a couple big gulps. PacMan frogs will eat almost anything it can swallow in the wild — from large insects to baby mice.

Providing a nutritious and varied diet is very important for these little eating machines. We will get into the foods of a PacMan frog a little later. Size - Adult Males: about inches in diameter Adult Females: about inches in diameter. Life Span - A life span of years is possible with optimal living conditions. PacMan frogs generally live a sedentary life and do not move around much. They like to stay buried in one spot for days or even weeks at a time.

An albino form boasts the bright yellow-to-orange main color with a touch of green spots. Females: 6. With the proper care, they should reach the adult size in one to one and a half years. Some sources are reporting that South American horned frogs can live up to 15 years in captivity.

Pacman frogs are voracious carnivores, so veganism is definitely not their cup of tea. Sit-and-wait predators, they burrow into the substrate, remaining motionless, and waiting for prey. The Pacman frog will attack and eat anything that fits in its mouth and moves within a striking range. A natural diet includes insects, small rodents mice, rats , and even spiders. In captivity, It all depends on the size of your frog and your ability to provide it with diverse nutrition.

But it is easy to recreate their natural feeding habits. Pacman frogs rarely move, but, being nocturnal, they could explore the surroundings, which is important for animal well-being. I use an ordinary Aqueon 10 gal. The most popular substrate for Pacman frogs that is readily available on the market is the coir, also called coconut fibre. It is cheap, hygienic, has no odor, and it is great for burrowing.

You can experiment with other substrates, but DO NOT use anything that might be ingested by your frog: gravel, wood corks, or similar substances, no matter if it is a fine or coarse fraction. The Pacman frogs are eating everything that fits their mouth, and be assured that sooner or later they will swallow the rock or a wood cork.

It could lead to a serious health issue or even death Brent R. Whitaker, Kevin M. The bedding should be kept moist to prevent the frog from dehydration, but never make it sopping wet. The substrate layer should be thick enough to allow the frog to burrow.

Always consider the substrate as one of the most important aspects of the Pacman frog care. It could be a good idea to use the timer. Opinions vary, but many hobbyists agree that the UV light is not necessary for the Pacman frogs. The horned frogs are tropical rainforest bottom dwellers, and in their natural environment, they barely see the direct sunlight. Moreover, studies show that the UV-B light can be dangerous for the amphibians due to its harmful effects Andrew R.

Currently, I do not use the additional light, because the terrarium is located near the window, and the room itself is well-lit all day long. But I consider adding the plant light with the timer to create a bio-active, planted terrarium. The IR thermometer is a great tool to check the temperature zones, very convenient! Pacman frogs are terrestrial ones. Moreover, they can drown as they are exceptionally bad swimmers. The best way to supply the water is the shallow dish sunk, made of the material that can be easily cleaned.

The material should not be slippery and make sure that your frog can get out of the dish easily. The water dish should be cleaned and rinsed thoroughly on a regular basis, depends on how often your frog is using it. Well, basically, they eat everything that fits their enormous mouth. The natural diet depends on the size of the frog and includes insects, small mammals, fish, small reptiles, and even other frogs.

Yes, they are cannibalistic, and they should be housed alone. In captivity, the menu depends on the age of the frog. The substrate should remain damp but not soaking wet. Provide enough substrate so that your Pacman can hide. They will not move and can be mistaken for dead. Once rehydrated, they will shed this tough outer skin but can be stressed out by this situation.

Provide your Pacman with hiding spots. You can use live plants with broad leaves such as Pothos ivy or English ivy to decorate the terrarium. Provide hours of daylight. If you give them too much daylight the frog may stress out and not eat. Use fluorescent lights and they do not need a heat lamp or special UVB-emitting bulbs. Food and Water: Pacman Frogs eat a wide variety of food including crickets, roaches, small fish, worms and even small mice.

The amount to feed them depends on the size of the frog and the temperature inside the enclosure.