Chacoan Horned Frog (Pacman Frog)
Ceratophrys cranwelli
The 'Pacman'. Essentially a giant mouth with legs attached. Massive, extraordinarily voracious, and utterly sedentary terrestrial frogs. Available in dozens of colorful morphs.
Umgebung
Terrestrisch
Luftfeuchtigkeit
60 - 80 %
Tagestemperatur
24 - 29 °C
Nachttemperatur
21 - 24 °C
Artbeschreibung
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Endemic to the semi-arid Gran Chaco region spanning Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. Inhabits dry savannas, scrub forests, and temporary ponds, spending dry periods burrowed underground in a cocoon to prevent dehydration.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Plump, round amphibian characterized by a disproportionately large head and an extremely wide mouth. Features small, fleshy horns above the eyes. Captive breeding has produced numerous vibrant color morphs.
Behavior and Habits: Strictly terrestrial, fossorial, and sedentary. An ambush predator that spends most of its life buried in the substrate with only its eyes exposed. Walks or crawls rather than hops.
Morphology: Females are significantly larger and heavier, reaching 10-15 cm in length. Males are smaller, have a darker throat, and develop nuptial pads on their thumbs during the breeding season.
Pflege, Zucht und Mitbewohner
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontal terrestrial terrarium (minimum 60x45x30 cm). The substrate must be deep and loose (coco coir, peat moss, or sphagnum) to allow complete burrowing. Avoid sharp decorations and provide a very shallow water dish to prevent drowning.
Lighting and Heating: Warm climate. Daytime temperature should be kept at 26-28°C using an overhead heating element. Do not use under-tank heating pads, as burrowing frogs can easily overheat and burn. Provide a night drop to 20-22°C. A 5% UVB light is highly recommended.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain relative humidity around 60-70%. The substrate should be kept damp like a wrung-out sponge, never waterlogged or muddy, to prevent skin rot. Mist daily using dechlorinated water.
Feeding and Supplementation: Highly voracious predator. Feeds on crickets, roaches, earthworms, and occasionally feeder fish or pinky mice. Feed using tongs to prevent substrate ingestion (impaction). Dust prey items with calcium and D3 supplements twice a week.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary. Highly cannibalistic; never house multiple specimens together, even if they are of similar size.
Health and Common Diseases: Generally hardy. Vulnerable to metabolic bone disease (MBD) due to poor supplementation, intestinal impaction from swallowing substrate, and bacterial skin infections (Red Leg) from dirty conditions.
Geografische Herkunft und Verbreitung
Endemic to the semi-arid Gran Chaco region spanning Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil. Inhabits dry savannas, scrub forests, and temporary ponds, spending dry periods burrowed underground in a cocoon to prevent dehydration.
Ursprung
Selektive Züchtung und SortenExtra-Amazonas-SüdamerikaNordamerika
Amphibienprofil
- Diät
- Carnivore
- The Cranwell's horned frog is sit-and-wait predator eating large insects, earthworms, and occasionally pinky mice. Providing a varied and appropriately sized food source is crucial for their health in captivity. Supplementation with calcium and multivitamins is highly recommended. Ensure fresh water is always available to aid digestion.
- Lebenserwartung
- 10-15 years
- Erwachsenengröße
- 12 cm
- Lebensstil/Mikrohabitat
- Fossorial
- As a terrestrial forest floor dweller needing deep, moist substrate for burrowing. The terrarium must be tailored to these specific needs, prioritizing either vertical climbing space or horizontal floor space. Substrate and furnishings must replicate their natural habitat.
- Aktivitätszyklus
- Crepuscular
- They are diurnal and nocturnal opportunist, acting whenever prey crosses its path. Lighting schedules should strictly mimic natural photoperiods to maintain their circadian rhythm. Disturbing them during their resting period can cause significant stress.
- Sozialität
- Solitary
- Behaviorally, they are extremely sedentary, spending most of its time partially buried in substrate waiting for prey. Keepers should observe them regularly to ensure they are not displaying signs of stress. Providing adequate hiding spots allows them to feel secure.
- Reproduktion
- Oviparous
- In the wild, reproduction is triggered by torrential rains following a dry period, breeding in temporary pools. Replicating these seasonal cues in captivity can be challenging but is necessary for successful breeding. Raising the offspring requires dedicated space and resources.
- Toxizität
- Harmless
- When it comes to toxicity, this species is non-toxic, but possesses a very powerful bite and sharp odontoids (teeth). It is always best practice to wash hands before and after any interactions. This protects the frog from harmful oils and the keeper from potential irritation.
- Lebensphase
- Metamorphosis
- Their development features carnivorous tadpoles grow rapidly into heavy-bodied, round adult frogs. Providing the correct environmental parameters at each stage is vital for proper growth. Adult specimens can be incredibly rewarding to keep.
- Handhabungstoleranz
- With caution
- Handling should be can be handled but may bite defensively; best moved using a small container. Amphibians have delicate, permeable skin that is easily damaged by dry hands or chemicals. Whenever possible, observe them without direct physical contact.
- Brumation
- Nicht erforderlich
- Regarding brumation, this species can undergo aestivation (encasing itself in a dry skin cocoon) during dry periods. It is important to research the exact temperature gradients required for your specific animal. Improper temperature drops can lead to severe health issues.
- Häutung
- Regular
- The molting process is fascinating; it sheds skin regularly in moisture, or creates a protective multi-layered skin cocoon in droughts. High humidity is necessary to ensure the shed comes off cleanly without restricting toes or limbs. Retained shed is a sign of improper husbandry.
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