Argentine Horned Frog
Ceratophrys ornata
Meet the Argentine Horned Frog, a voracious ambush predator with brilliant emerald-green and red markings. Often called the Pacman frog, it needs a warm, damp terrestrial setup to sit and wait.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
70 - 80 %
Température diurne
24 - 28 °C
Température nocturne
20 - 22 °C
Température ambiante
24 - 28 °C
Enclos minimal
>= 40 L
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: Distributed across Uruguay, northern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Paraguay. It inhabits wet pampas, damp grasslands, riverbanks, and temporary lagoons, spending dry seasons buried in the mud.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Family Ceratophryidae. Commonly known as the Argentine Horned Frog. It is one of the most colorful and iconic Pacman frogs, valued for its striking emerald-green and red-orange markings and bright red eyes.
Behavior and Habits: Classic sit-and-wait ambush predator. They remain buried in the soil for days, waiting for prey to pass, then strike with a powerful bite. They are aggressive and will puff up with air and hiss when threatened.
Morphology: Round and massive. Females reach 15-18 cm in width, while males are around 10 cm. They feature a bold pattern of emerald-green spots bordered in black and orange-red on a warty dorsal skin. Cranial horns are short but distinct.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Requires a terrestrial setup (minimum 60x40x30 cm) with a deep layer (at least 15 cm) of peat moss and coco-fiber. Keep the substrate very damp. Large pieces of live sphagnum moss can be included.
Lighting and Heating: Keep warm temperatures between 26-28°C during the day. Avoid temperatures above 30°C. Do not use bottom heating mats as they burrow to thermoregulate. Use a lateral heating source and low, shaded lighting.
Humidity and Hydration: Maintain high humidity (70-80%). Provide a shallow water bowl where they can hydrate. Replace water regularly as they are sensitive to their own waste and ammonia buildup (Red Leg disease).
Feeding and Supplementation: Voracious predators. Feed crickets, roaches, earthworms, and feeder fish. Mammalian prey (mice) should be offered very rarely to prevent fatty liver disease. Supplement with calcium twice a week.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary and highly cannibalistic. They will consume any tankmates, including breeding partners of a different size. House individually.
Health and Common Diseases: High risk of impaction from swallowing loose substrate (soil, bark, moss) while hunting. Feed using plastic feeding tongs. Watch for signs of lethargy or bloating.
Origine et répartition géographiques
Distributed across Uruguay, northern Argentina, southern Brazil, and Paraguay. It inhabits wet pampas, damp grasslands, riverbanks, and temporary lagoons, spending dry seasons buried in the mud.
Origine
Sélection et cultivarsAmérique du Sud hors AmazonieAmérique du NordCosmopolite ou introduit
Profil d'amphibien
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- The Argentine Horned Frog, often called the Pacman frog, is a voracious ambush predator that consumes a wide variety of prey. In captivity, their diet primarily consists of gut-loaded crickets, roaches, earthworms, and occasionally appropriately sized rodents for adults. It is essential to dust their food regularly with calcium and vitamin supplements to prevent metabolic bone disease.
- Espérance de vie
- 5-15 years
- Taille adulte
- 14 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- Ceratophrys ornata is a terrestrial species that requires a humid environment with deep, moist substrate for burrowing. They do not require large enclosures or extensive swimming areas, as they are poor swimmers. Maintaining proper humidity and temperature gradients is crucial for their overall health and well-being.
- Cycle d'activité
- Crepuscular
- These amphibians are predominantly nocturnal or crepuscular, becoming most active during the night and at dusk. During the day, they remain mostly stationary, hidden in damp soil or leaf litter to conserve moisture. However, they may opportunistically strike at prey that wanders too close during daylight hours.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- Pacman frogs are largely sedentary and spend most of their time half-buried in the substrate waiting for prey. They are solitary animals and can be quite aggressive, sometimes attempting to bite objects or fingers that move near them. Their primary defense mechanism is to puff up to appear larger and blend in with the leaf litter.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- These frogs typically breed during the rainy season following a dry period. Females lay thousands of eggs in shallow water, which are fertilized externally by the male. The tadpoles are highly carnivorous and often cannibalistic, growing rapidly before undergoing metamorphosis into small froglets.
- Toxicité
- Harmless
- Argentine horned frogs do not produce potent skin toxins like poison dart frogs, but they do have mild skin secretions. These secretions help keep their skin moist and ward off bacterial and fungal infections in their damp environment. Handling them should be kept to a minimum as human skin oils can harm them, and their secretions might cause mild irritation if transferred to the eyes. Their primary defense, however, relies on their painful, powerful bite rather than toxicity.
- Stade de vie
- Metamorphosis
- Their life cycle is characterized by a rapid development suited for ephemeral bodies of water. The eggs hatch into highly aggressive, carnivorous tadpoles with powerful jaws within just a few days. The tadpoles metamorphose into small froglets remarkably quickly, usually within three to four weeks. These froglets grow rapidly, displaying an insatiable appetite as they develop into the heavy-bodied adults.
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- With caution
- Pacman frogs have an incredibly strong feeding response and are quick to defensively bite anything that moves in front of them, including fingers. Because of their voracious appetite, powerful bite, and sensitive amphibian skin, handling should be strictly avoided except when absolutely necessary.
- Brumation
- Similar to Budgett's frogs, they can undergo a period of aestivation during cooler, drier periods by forming a dry skin cocoon underground. This is completely optional in captivity and typically avoided by keepers, as maintaining steady temperatures (24-28°C / 75-82°F) keeps them active and feeding year-round.
- Mue
- Periodic
- Shedding happens regularly but is swift and rarely noticed, as the frog uses its front legs to push the dead skin forward into its exceptionally wide mouth. High humidity and appropriately moist substrate are critical, otherwise the skin can dry out, tighten around the limbs, and cause necrosis.
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