Pacman Frog Care Sheet

This care sheet covers the two most popular Pacman species that are kept in captivity, Ceratophrys cranwelli and Ceratophrys ornata. The Pacman Frog is a popular and distinctive pet frog known for its large, round body and voracious appetite. Native to South America, especially in countries like Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Uruguay, Pacman Frogs are named after the iconic video game character due to their wide, mouth-like appearance. These frogs are primarily terrestrial and burrowers, often spending their days hiding in substrate and coming out at night to hunt. Due to their sedentary nature, they are considered beginner pet amphibians and thrive in relatively low care environments as long as conditions are correct.

Care sheets are only to be taken as guidelines. Just as with all animals, each frog will have unique traits and personalities special to the individual animal that may require adaptation in their husbandry and care. The following care sheet will address basic requirements but as the primary caretaker of your pet, we encourage you to take notice of your pet's behaviours and preferences and make adjustments as they grow with you and your family. Please also keep in mind that unlike mammals, most reptiles change their behaviour according to seasonal weather changes even if you keep them indoors all year round. Most reptiles also change their behaviour according to their life stages and should not be expected to behave the same their whole life.

We keep frogs and toads in stock at our Toronto store and ship across Canada.

Enclosure: Pacman Frogs are a sedentary species and typically do not require a lot of space. They are terrestrial and spend all of their time on the ground making the ground space much more important than the vertical space. This species is not communal and is known to eat anything that moves in front of them including other frogs so they must be housed individually. A single frog can be comfortably housed in a 10-gallon tank, though 15-20 gallon would be better. Although Pacman Frogs are terrestrial, it is important to provide ample burrowing space, so the substrate should be deep enough (about 2-4 inches) to allow them to bury themselves comfortably.

Substrate: The substrate for Pacman Frogs should be soft, absorbent, and safe for burrowing. Coconut fibre, soil blends, reptisoil, and jungle mix are excellent options because they hold moisture well and allow the frog to dig and bury itself. The substrate should be deep enough to allow the frog to fully bury itself, as they tend to burrow during the day to hide. Avoid using gravel, sand, or anything that could cause impaction if ingested.

Heating and temperature: Pacman Frogs require a stable temperature range of 75-85°F (24-29°C) during the day, with a slight nighttime drop to around 72-75°F (22-24°C). Under-tank heaters, ceramic heat emitters, or radiant heat can be used to maintain warmth. We advise against the use of heat lamps for this species, as they can dry out the enclosure.

Decor: Since Pacman Frogs are ambush predators and only stay on the ground, they do not require complex decorations, but a few hiding spots using logs, plants, or half-buried cork bark can help them feel secure. A shallow dish for soaking is also recommended.

Humidity: Most frogs need consistent high humidity levels in their habitat, but Pacmans can tolerate periods of moderate humidity. Ideally, humidity should be kept at 50-80%. Daily misting with dechlorinated water and the use of moisture-retaining substrates help achieve the proper humidity levels. A hygrometer should be used to monitor humidity, ensuring it does not drop too low.

Feeding: Pacman Frogs are opportunistic carnivores and will eat a variety of prey items, including crickets, roaches, nightcrawlers, and occasional small mice for larger individuals. They are well known to try and put anything that moves into their giant mouths and do not typically discriminate against anything that fits in there. Feeder insects should be gut-loaded prior to feeding to ensure optimal health. Overfeeding should be avoided to prevent obesity.

Supplementation: You can offer lightly dusted crickets once per week with calcium or multi vitamin. Be careful not to over supplement with vitamin D3. Usually if you are gutloading your feeder insects then supplementation is not needed at all.

Water: All frogs absorb water through their skin. For this reason, they do best by taking water through misting directly on them and around their environments. A shallow water dish with dechlorinated water should always be available for soaking. The water should be changed daily to prevent bacterial growth.