A Simple Guide To South American Horned Frogs

A Simple Guide To South American Horned Frogs

Pacman frogs are unique, low-activity amphibians known for their round bodies and impressive appetites. They’re sit-and-wait predators that prefer a quiet, secure setup and are fun to feed and observe. With simple care and the right environment, they make excellent pets for keepers who enjoy something a bit different, or those who are beginners to amphibian keeping.

Lifespan: 10-15 years

Size: 4-7in (10-18cm)

Activity: Extremely sedentary – sit-and-wait ambush predators

Sociability: Solitary. Due to their overly ambitious appetite, they can mistake tankmates as food

Suitability: Beginner

🏡Enclosure

• Glass or acrylic vivarium
• 12x12x12in (30x30x30cm)
• A large enclosure is unnecessary due to their sedentary lifestyle
• Appropriate ventilation for maintaining humidity is a partial mesh lid

🟫Substrate

• Coconut fibre or soil mixes
• Sphagnum moss as a top layer
• Deep for burrowing down into
• Damp but not soaked
• Avoid gravel, sand or other loose, insoluble materials – risk of impaction

🌡️Heating & Humidity

• Humidity of 60-80%
• Lightly mist once or twice a day
• Shallow water dish. Pacman frogs will soak but not swim
• Day temperature: 75-81℉ (24-27℃)
• Night temperature: 68-73℉ (20-23℃)
• Most houses will not need a heat mat; however, if temperatures are low, a small heat mat behind or to the side of the tank (not under) is necessary. A thermostat should be used to prevent overheating
• A heat bulb is not needed

💡UV Lighting

• UV lighting is not required, though 2-5% UVB can be beneficial if provided

🍂Décor

• There are no specific décor requirements. Various natural items, such as leaf litter, wood, or cork bark can be used.
• Items should have smooth edges to prevent injury
• Live plants can be used, such as pothos, bromeliads, ferns, or spider plants

🦗Diet

• Juveniles should be fed daily; adults should be fed every 2-3 days
• The primary food source should be gut-loaded livefoods, such as crickets, locusts, morio worms, earthworms, dubia roaches, etc.
• Pinky mice can also be fed, though not often as they are high in fat and take a frog up to a week to digest
• Food should be dusted in a calcium and supplement powder twice a week
• Using tongues to feed can prevent ingestion of substrate

🤲Handling

• Amphibians are generally not suitable for handling
• If handling is necessary, it should be done using wet latex-free gloves and dechlorinated water – dry gloves can irritate their skin
• Amphibians have permeable skin through which toxins, chemicals, and pathogens on your hands can enter their body

🧽Cleaning

• Spot clean daily
• Full clean once a month

🩺Quick Health Check

• Healthy signs: clear eyes, firm body, regular feeding, burrowing
• Concerns: remaining on the surface, thin or overly fat, cloudy eyes, not eating
• Vet: swelling, persistent lack of appetite

🧺Shopping List

• Vivarium
• Coconut fibre or soil mix
• Sphagnum moss
• Spray bottle
• Shallow water dish
• Heat mat and thermostat (if necessary)
• Hygrometer (measures humidity)
• Thermometer (measures temperature)
• Décor
• Feeding tongs
• Livefood
• Pinky mice
• Calcium and vitamin supplement, such as Nutribal