Common Species: Ceratophrys cranwelli (Cranwell’s horned/pacman frog), Ceratophrys aurita (Brazilian horned/pacman frog), Ceratophrys cornuta (Surinam horned/pacman frog), Ceratophrys ornata (ornate pacman frog or Argentine horned/pacman frog), and Ceratophrys cranwelli x C. cornuta hybrids (fantasy pacman frog)
Care level: Beginner-intermediate
Temperament: Very eager feeding response; not for handling
Behavior: crepuscular/nocturnal, terrestrial/fossorial, solitary
Minimum enclosure size: 40B (36×18×18”(90×45×45cm))
Warm side temp: most species 80-85°F (27-30°C); C. ornata and C. aurita 75-80°F (25-27°C)
Cold side temp: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
Nighttime/minimum temp: 60°F (16°C)
UVB: UVI zone 0.5-1/Ferguson zone 1 (e.g. Arcadia Shadedweller 7% at 18+” (45+cm) with no mesh or at 12+” (30+cm) over typical mesh)
Humidity: varies by species; C. cranwelli 50-75%, C. ornata 70-80%, C. cornuta and C. aurita 75-85% (higher in the wet season)
Diet: Insects (occasionally rodents, fish and frogs/lizards)
Adult size: Up to 6” (15cm)
(care guide written with contributions by mandi#6740)
Species specific notes:
Ceratophrys cranwelli –
- native to the Gran Chaco region of Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil
- mainly dry, thorny forests as well as savannas, hardwood forests and inland wetlands
- Soil in the area is sandy and clay based
- Temperatures range from 60-85°F and humidity 50-75%
Ceratophrys ornata –
- Native to the Pampas region of Argentina
- Mainly subtropical grasslands and seasonal wetlands; frogs are found mainly around seasonal bodies of water
- The area is grassy and shrubs with a few trees
- Soil in the area ranges from fertile and moist to sandy and loamy with some clay
- Temperatures range 55-75°F (average 65°F) and humidity 70-80%
Ceratophrys cornuta –
- Native to the Amazon rainforest and Amazon basin
- Forests are terra firma (firm, dry soil) or dense forest
- Frogs are found burrowed under leaf litter next to roots or logs; more active when there is rainfall
- Soil in the area is mainly loam with silt and/or clay
- Temperatures range 70-90°F (average 77°F); humidity 77% in the dry season and 88% in the wet season
Ceratophrys aurita –
- Native to the Atlantic forests of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay
- Forests are dense with rich diversity of plants
- Frogs are found near seasonal (sometimes permanent) ponds in the forest and at the edge of the forest, under leaf litter
- Soil in the area is sandy with clay
- Temperatures range 65-86°F (average 71-75°F); humidity 63-96%
Other Resources:
How Can We Do Better By Pacman Frogs? (information on species care differences and advanced husbandry)
Ornate Pacman Frog Guide by bufomancer
AmphibiaWeb – Ceratophrys cornuta