Chacoan Horned Frog (Pacman Frog) (Strawberry / Red)
Ceratophrys cranwelli
The breathtaking Strawberry morph. A beautiful, highly valued variant featuring deep rust-red and strawberry tones over its robust, round body.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
60 - 80 %
Température diurne
24 - 29 °C
Température nocturne
20 - 26 °C
Description de l'espèce
Strawberry Morph. A beautiful variant featuring deep strawberry red or rust-red tones.:
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Terrestrial and burrowing species distributed in the semi-arid region of the Gran Chaco (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil). They inhabit dry savannas and scrublands, spending dry periods buried underground in estivation.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Large, round body reaching 10-15 cm in females. The head is very large with a wide mouth and small skin projections or horns above the eyes. This strawberry morph displays striking red or orange-red coloration.
Behavior and Habits: Extremely sedentary, burrowing sit-and-wait predator. They spend most of the day buried in the substrate. Active at night. Males produce a loud, bark-like call during the rainy season.
Morphology: Females are significantly larger and heavier than males. Mature males have darker throats and develop nuptial pads on their thumbs.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontal terrestrial terrarium (minimum 60x45x30 cm). Provide a deep, burrowable substrate of damp coco-fiber or peat moss. Include a large, very shallow water bowl. Avoid sharp rocks.
Lighting and Heating: Maintain temperatures between 26-28°C during the day using a low-wattage heat source. Do not use under-tank heating as they burrow to cool down. Provide 5% UVB lighting.
Humidity and Hydration: Keep humidity levels around 60-70%. The substrate should be moist but never soggy to prevent bacterial infections. Mist regularly with dechlorinated water.
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious predators. Feed crickets, roaches, earthworms, and occasional feeder fish or pinky mice. Use tongs to feed to prevent substrate ingestion. Supplement with calcium and D3.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary and highly cannibalistic. Never house two specimens together.
Health and Common Diseases: Prone to toxicities from accumulated waste; replace substrate regularly. Ensure correct calcium and D3 supplementation to prevent metabolic bone disease.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Terrestrial and burrowing species distributed in the semi-arid region of the Gran Chaco (Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil). They inhabit dry savannas and scrublands, spending dry periods buried underground in estivation.
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAmérique du Sud hors AmazonieAmérique du NordAsie de l'EstCosmopolite ou introduit
Profil d'amphibien
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- Pacman frogs are ambush predators with a massive appetite, eating insects, worms, and appropriately sized rodents. Juveniles should be fed a staple of gut-loaded crickets or roaches, while adults can handle larger prey like nightcrawlers and occasional mice. Dusting food with calcium and vitamins is critical, but avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity.
- Espérance de vie
- 10-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 13 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Terrestrial and burrowing, they require a deep, moisture-retaining substrate like coconut fiber or sphagnum moss. They do not need a large enclosure but do require distinct moisture and temperature gradients. Provide a shallow water dish that they can easily enter and exit.
- Cycle d'activité
- Nocturnal
- Mostly nocturnal or crepuscular, they remain inactive during the day to avoid desiccation. They will become alert when food is introduced, regardless of the time of day. Their activity is primarily limited to eating and burying themselves.
- Sociabilité
- Gregarious
- They are extremely sedentary, spending most of their time half-buried in the substrate waiting for prey to pass by. They can be aggressive feeders and will lunge at anything that moves near their mouth. They are solitary animals and should be housed individually to prevent cannibalism.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding is difficult in captivity and requires a specific cycling process involving a dry period followed by heavy simulated rain. Males call loudly to attract females to shallow water where amplexus occurs. Females can lay thousands of eggs, and the resulting tadpoles are highly carnivorous and cannibalistic.
- Toxicité
- Harmless
- The Strawberry / Red Pacman Frog is entirely non-toxic and possesses no venom glands. They rely on camouflage and their biting capability for defense rather than chemical deterrents. While their bite can be surprisingly strong and painful due to odontoid projections (tooth-like structures) in their jaw, it is not venomous. Keepers should wash their hands before and after handling or feeding to protect the frog's sensitive skin and maintain good hygiene. They pose no toxic threat to humans or other household pets.
- Stade de vie
- Metamorphosis
- The Pacman Frog begins its life as an aquatic, carnivorous tadpole that requires separation from siblings due to cannibalistic tendencies. Once metamorphosis is complete, the Strawberry / Red juvenile froglet grows extremely fast if fed properly. They reach sexual maturity and near adult size within 10 to 12 months, depending on feeding frequency and temperature. Adult Pacman frogs are large, heavily built, and predominantly sedentary, capable of living 10 to 15 years under optimal care conditions. Throughout their life stages, maintaining proper humidity and substrate moisture is vital.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Display only
- Handling of the Strawberry / Red Pacman Frog should be strictly minimized and generally avoided unless absolutely necessary for cleaning or health checks. Their skin is extremely delicate and easily absorbs toxins, oils, or soaps from human hands, which can lead to illness. Additionally, their aggressive feeding response means a moving finger can easily be mistaken for food, resulting in a painful bite. If handling is required, wearing moistened, powder-free nitrile gloves is highly recommended. Scooping the frog gently from behind or using a small container to move them is safer than picking them up directly.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- In the wild, Cranwell's Horned Frogs undergo a period of dormancy known as estivation during the dry season, encasing themselves in a tough cocoon of shed skin to retain moisture. In captivity, this is not strictly necessary for the Strawberry / Red morph unless breeding is intended, and it carries significant risks if not managed correctly. If the enclosure becomes too dry or cold, the frog may enter this state involuntarily. It is safer to maintain consistent, optimal temperatures and humidity year-round to keep the frog active and eating. If estivation occurs, the frog should be slowly rehydrated with warm misting over several days.
- Mue
- Periodic
- The Strawberry / Red Pacman Frog sheds its skin regularly as it grows, a process that happens more frequently in rapidly growing juveniles. The shedding process involves the frog making a series of stretching and wiping motions with its limbs to peel the old skin off its body. It is completely normal for the frog to eat its shed skin, which helps recycle nutrients back into its system. Providing a shallow soaking dish and maintaining proper ambient humidity are essential to ensure the shed comes off cleanly in one piece. Patches of retained shed indicate that the enclosure is too dry and needs immediate adjustment.
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