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The Strawberry Pacman frog is a type of horned frog that is native to South America. These amphibians are fairly common in the pet world. They are poor swimmers and strictly terrestrial, although they do spend most of their time in moist environments.
Their animated character gave them the name of the Pacman frog, although they aren’t as active as Pacman in the game. Strawberry Pacman frogs are interesting pets that usually spend their time lounging in their enclosure.
Quick Facts about Strawberry Pacman Frogs
| Species Name: | Ceratophyrs ornata |
| Common Name: | South American Horned Frogs |
| Care Level: | Moderate |
| Lifespan: | 10 to 15 years |
| Adult Size: | 4 to 5 inches |
| Diet: | Insectivores |
| Minimum Tank Size: | 10-gallon terrarium |
| Temperature & Humidity | 75°F to 85°F and 50% to 80% |
Do Strawberry Pacman Frogs Make Good Pets?
Strawberry Pacman frogs are docile and not very active, so they aren’t going to make a good pet for you or your family if you’re expecting something that jumps and climbs a lot. They have a hefty appetite, and it takes some work to keep up with their demands. They aren’t the easiest pets to have, but they aren’t the hardest either.
Appearance
Strawberry Pacman frogs have animated features because of their two large eyes that stick up like horns out of their rounded bodies. These specific amphibians could reach up to 5 inches long, and the males are usually smaller than the females.
Their bright orange, yellow, and cream-colored skin has oval and kidney-shaped patterns that make them an exciting pet to look at compared to their green and brown counterparts.
- See also: Albino Pacman Frog
How to Take Care of Strawberry Pacman Frogs
Habitat, Tank Conditions & Setup
Tank
Pac-man frogs don’t require a lot of room because they usually sit and wait for their prey. The majority of their time is spent burrowed into the substrate with their eyes sticking out while they wait for food to pass by. The minimum terrarium size is 10 gallons, but you could go larger if you prefer.
Lighting
Maintain a schedule of 12 hours on and 12 hours off light schedule for your terrarium. Fluorescent light fixtures are good, but sometimes a regular room light is enough to keep your frogs on a regular schedule.
Heating (Temperature & Humidity)
Strawberry Pacman frogs feel their best when the temperature is kept around the mid-70s. Use a thermometer to regulate their temperature and keep the enclosure between 75°F and 85°F. Temperatures in the high 80s could be deadly.
Humidity is equally important. These frogs have to have humidity levels of at least 60% to 70%. Use a half-screen top to keep it ventilated and prevent skin infections.
Substrate
Pacman frogs burrow down into their substrate, so something that is loose is ideal. Ground coconut substrate is great for them to dig into, but moss or paper works well too.
| Tank Recommendations | |
| Tank Type: | 10-gallon plastic or glass terrarium with screen top |
| Lighting: | 12 hours on/12 hours off schedule |
| Heating: | Heating pad |
| Best Substrate: | Ground coconut, moss, paper |
Feeding Your Strawberry Pacman Frog
Strawberry Pacman frogs are easy to feed and aren’t fussy about their food. They’ll bite at anything that is in front of them when they’re hungry. Gut-loaded crickets are the most common source of nutrition, but they also eat wax worms and mealworms.
Larger frogs are able to eat pinkie mice and smaller fogs on occasion. Feed small frogs insects daily and larger frogs every few days with larger meals.
| Diet Summary | |
| Fruits: | 0% of diet |
| Insects: | 75% of diet |
| Meat: | 25% of diet – newborn mice, guppies, small frogs |
| Supplements Required: | Gut-load crickets before feeding |
Keeping Your Strawberry Pacman Frog Healthy
Keeping Strawberry Pacman frogs healthy isn’t complicated as long as you maintain their habitat, disinfect it monthly, and regulate the light, heat, and moisture. Bacterial and fungal issues are the number one health problem with amphibians. These are usually identifiable by redness or swelling on their skin. Ventilation is crucial to keep these problems under control.
If your tank temperatures are too hot, parasites could take over and make your frog sick. If too humid, they could get a respiratory infection. Regulating levels in their environment is the key to their health.
Lifespan
Strawberry Pacman frogs tend to only live up to five years in the wild, but captive frogs could live up to 15 years in a safe and clean home. Do not house them with other frogs or they will end up eating each other.
Are Strawberry Pacman Frogs Friendly? Our Handling Advice
These frogs are docile but do not handle them unless absolutely necessary. Holding these frogs could damage their sensitive skin. On top of that, they love to eat, and dangling your fingers in front of them is asking for you to get bit.
Brumation: What to Expect
Brumation happens to these frogs when the food is scarce or humidity is too low in their enclosure. During this time, their skin hardens and they bury themselves underground and won’t move for long periods of time. Don’t assume they’re dead because they probably aren’t! To fix this, keep the tank moist and wait for them to break out of that hard skin.
How Much Do Strawberry Pacman Frogs Cost?
Amphibians aren’t expensive pets and finding one from a reputable breeder is fairly simple. Strawberry Pacman frogs cost anywhere from $50 to $100.
Care Guide Summary
- Unique coloring
- Small tank
- Simple diet
- Must be housed alone
- Bite
- Not very active
Conclusion
The Strawberry Pacman Frog is a good pet for those who want to admire these amphibians from afar and don’t plan on handling them or getting a lot of action. However, caring for them isn’t too hard and they could be a family pet as long as the kids understand some of their basic life requirements.
Giving them a healthy life is crucial to their long lives and they deserve someone who is able to provide that to them.
Featured Image Credit: Dennis W Donohue, Shutterstock
