Amphibians
Pacman frog care guide
Ceratophrys cranwelli / C. ornata
A sit-and-wait frog that buries and ambushes. House alone — they eat tankmates.
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing
New to reptiles? Check your keeper level first →Pacman frog enclosure size
Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing. An adult pacman frog should live in at least 18" L × 12" W × 12" H; we build toward 24" L × 18" W × 12" H (2 × 1.5 × 1 ft, roughly 3 sq ft of floor and about a 22-gallon glass equivalent).
- Hatchling / baby
- 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Juvenile
- 18" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended · min 12" L × 12" W × 12" H
- Adult
- 24" L × 18" W × 12" H recommended · min 18" L × 12" W × 12" H
Temperature and heating
Heat mat on the side (not under) or a low-wattage lamp, on a thermostat.
- Basking / warm surface
- No basking spot
- Warm side (ambient)
- 78–82°F
- Cool side (ambient)
- 75–78°F
- Night
- 70–75°F
Lighting and UVB
UVB: Not required; low-level UVB beneficial. Run lights on a 12 hours on, 12 hours off photoperiod, on a timer, and replace UVB bulbs on the manufacturer's schedule even while they still emit visible light.
Humidity
Target 60–80%. Damp substrate and a shallow, dechlorinated water dish.
Substrate and depth
Coco fiber or soil mix. Depth: 3–4 in.
Diet and feeding
Dusted insects and worms; adults take an occasional pinky. Avoid overfeeding.
Enclosure tips and furnishing
- Hides on both the warm and cool sides
- Clean water available at all times
- Clutter — cork, leaf litter, plants — for cover
Build list
- Enclosure at adult size — Buy for the adult footprint to avoid repeated upgrades.
- Digital thermostat — Every heat source must run through a thermostat — unregulated heat burns animals.
- Two digital probe thermometers + hygrometer — Read the warm side, cool side and humidity directly.
Pacman frog FAQ
How big should an adult Pacman frog enclosure be?
At least 18" L × 12" W × 12" H, and we recommend building to 24" L × 18" W × 12" H — about 2 × 1.5 × 1 ft, or a 22-gallon glass equivalent. Fossorial — deep substrate for burrowing.
What temperatures does a Pacman frog need?
Basking or warm surface No basking spot, warm side 78–82°F, cool side 75–78°F, night 70–75°F. Heat mat on the side (not under) or a low-wattage lamp, on a thermostat.
Does a Pacman frog need UVB?
Not required; low-level UVB beneficial. Photoperiod: 12 hours on, 12 hours off.
What humidity does a Pacman frog need?
60–80%. Damp substrate and a shallow, dechlorinated water dish.
What substrate is best for a Pacman frog?
Coco fiber or soil mix, at a depth of 3–4 in.
How big does a Pacman frog enclosure need to be for a hatchling?
Hatchling / baby: 12" L × 12" W × 12" H recommended, minimum 12" L × 12" W × 12" H. Scale up to the adult footprint as the animal grows.
Sources
Put this guide to work
Apply these targets to your own pacman frog record, then log feedings, sheds and weights against them.