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AmphibianTerrestrialEasy
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Green Pacman frog
Ceratophrys cranwelli "Standard / Green"
A renowned terrestrial South American horned frog, famously known for its perfectly round body, voracious appetite, and an unbelievably massive mouth.
Class:Amphibia
Order:Anura
Family:Ceratophryidae
Subfamily:Ceratophryinae
Genus:Ceratophrys
Species:Ceratophrys cranwelli "Standard / Green"
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Environment
Terrestrial
Humidity
60 - 80 %
Day temperature
24 - 29 °C
Night temperature
20 - 26 °C
UVB
None - Low
Species description
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Ceratophrys cranwelli is native to the Chaco region of South America, which spans northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and southwestern Brazil. This species inhabits dry deciduous forests, semi-arid scrublands, and seasonal floodplains. During dry seasons, it burrows deep into the soil and secretes a protective cocoon made of dead skin sheets to prevent water loss (estivation), emerging only when rains return.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belonging to the family Ceratophryidae and the genus Ceratophrys. The 'Standard / Green' morph represents the wild-type coloration of the species, featuring genes that express stable green and brown pigments. While selective captive breeding has produced many color variants (morphs), the standard green form remains one of the hardiest and most popular.
Behavior and Habits: It is a strictly sedentary ambush predator. It spends nearly its entire life half-buried in the soil, waiting patiently for prey to wander close. It has a highly aggressive feeding response, attempting to consume anything that moves within its reach. Primarily nocturnal, it remains quietly alert in its burrow during daylight hours.
Morphology: Displays a unique body shape consisting of a round, heavy body, short limbs, and a massive head that accounts for nearly half of the frog's total mass. The mouth is exceptionally wide, featuring tooth-like bony projections on the upper jaw. Pointed skin folds resemble horns above each eye. Adult females reach 10-15 cm, while males are significantly smaller.
Care, breeding and tankmates
Terrarium Setup: Due to their inactive lifestyle, a terrarium of 50x30x30 cm is sufficient for an adult. The substrate is the most vital component: use moist coconut fiber, peat, or sphagnum moss at a depth of at least 8-10 cm to allow natural burrowing behavior. Avoid gravel or small pebbles, which can be swallowed accidentally and lead to fatal impaction.
Lighting and Heating: Strong UVB is not required, but a low-output (2%) UVB bulb is highly recommended to support skeletal development. Daytime temperatures should range from 25°C to 28°C on the warm side, dropping to 20-22°C at night. Heat mats must be attached to the side or back of the terrarium, never on the bottom, as the frog burrows to cool down.
Humidity and Hydration: Humidity must be kept high, between 70% and 80%, by spraying the terrarium with dechlorinated water once or twice daily. A shallow, wide water bowl must be provided. The water depth should not exceed the frog's chin level, as Pacman frogs are very poor swimmers and can drown in deep water.
Feeding and Supplementation: A voracious carnivore. Juveniles should be fed crickets, roaches, and earthworms every other day. Adults can eat larger insects, silverside fish, and occasional thawed pinky or fuzzy mice (no more than once a month to prevent obesity and liver disease). Dust prey items with calcium and D3 powder twice a week for juveniles and once a week for adults.
Compatibility: This species must be housed strictly alone. Pacman frogs are notorious cannibals and will actively attack and attempt to eat any tankmate, including their own species, regardless of size. Keeping two frogs in the same enclosure will almost certainly result in the death of one or both.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to Metabolic Bone Disease (MBD) if calcium and D3 levels are deficient. Toxic Out Syndrome is another common issue, caused by the buildup of ammonia from waste in the substrate; therefore, the substrate must be completely replaced every 4-6 weeks. Handle the frog as little as possible, as human skin oils can harm their porous skin.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Ceratophrys cranwelli is native to the Chaco region of South America, which spans northern Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and southwestern Brazil. This species inhabits dry deciduous forests, semi-arid scrublands, and seasonal floodplains. During dry seasons, it burrows deep into the soil and secretes a protective cocoon made of dead skin sheets to prevent water loss (estivation), emerging only when rains return.
Origin
Extra-Amazon South America
Amphibian profile
- Diet
- No verified data available
- Life expectancy
- No verified data available
- Adult size
- 15.8 cm
- Lifestyle/Microhabitat
- No verified data available
- Activity cycle
- No verified data available
- Sociality
- No verified data available
- Reproduction
- No verified data available
- Toxicity
- No verified data available
- Life stage
- No verified data available
- Handling tolerance
- No verified data available
- Brumation
- No verified data available
- Molting
- No verified data available
The catalog's scalar value is 15.8 cm. The AmphiBIO v1 source reports a maximum adult measurement of 15.8 cm for this species, recorded as snout–vent length (SVL). These figures are not interchangeable: the first is the profile's editorial reference, whereas the second is a published maximum under a specific measurement convention; differences among sources can reflect sex, population, life stage and measuring method.
Image gallery
Licensed images linked to the species or, when marked, to the closest representative taxon.
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