Pacman frog
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
A Pacman frog is any member of the family Neobatrachia with a characteristically large mouth and abdomen, thus resembling the video game character Pac-Man. Pacman frogs are considered Horned Frogs and the majority are endemic to South America. The prototypical example of a Pacman frog is the Argentine horned frog.
Full grown Pacman frogs can reach sizes up to 6 inches in diameter and are generally as wide as they are long. There are several common variations in color including Albino, dark brown, green, and red. In addition, Albino pacman frogs are even a brilliant yellow colour which may be the specific cause of the name origin.
In captivity, these frogs can live in a 10 gallon aquarium for their entire lives. They should be given shallow water, loose substrate, and hiding places. They will commonly cover themselves with substrate or just sit contently in the water. Pacman's should be misted daily to ensure proper humidity.
The average lifespan of a Pacman frog is about 6 years, but they have been known to live up to 12 years in captivity.
They are voracious eaters, often eating insects, small mammals (such as mice), fish, other frogs, and small reptiles. A fully grown female Argentine Horned Frog (females are generally larger than males) can easily eat a grown rat.
Although these frogs can swallow animals almost half their size, they sometimes attempt to eat things larger than they are. A row of sharp teeth in their upper jaw makes it nearly impossible for them to release prey after taking it in their mouth, in some cases leading to death by choking.
[edit] Pacman frog species
- Argentine horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata)
- Cranwell's horned frog (Ceratophrys cranwelli)
[edit] External links
- Horned Frog Haven, a personal website on caring for horned frogs