Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Welcome to kingsnake.com's message board system. Here you may share and discuss information with others about your favorite reptile and amphibian related topics such as care and feeding, caging requirements, permits and licenses, and more. Launched in 1997, the kingsnake.com message board system is one of the oldest and largest systems on the internet.

Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
https://www.crepnw.com/
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You

A few questions from newbie Pacman owner

atomicjade Apr 13, 2006 03:01 PM

Hello there, I have just recently been plopped an adult Pacman Frog in my care, and to not let him down... I wanted to clarify and ask a few questions to those who are experienced with Pacman Frogs. He had belonged prior to one of my friends in school, who said the frog wasn't eating and (since I always asked how the frog was doing) if I wanted him and see if I could do anything for him. Naturally I agreed, and took him home that day.

He came in a 10 gallon tank with a fluorescent light. He looked a bit uncomfortable nestled in wet gravel, a few plastic plants strewn about, and a medium orange water dish (not one he could fit in). I have not had internet access for awhile now due to complications with our previous provider, but am now doing makeshift with a free trial. Anyhow, I bought spaghnum moss for him within the next few days, and planned on changing out his tank sometime that same day. However by a twist of events, I came down violently ill with a kidney infection and fevers in excess of 105. When I was feeling slightly better and was actually able to physically get out of bed, I checked on my frog only to find him miserably burrowed in the gravel with a plethora of small bugs crawling all over and around him. His eyes shut tightly and skin dry, eventhough I was still not well I managed to completely wash out his tank (I put him in a plastic contained with water meanwhile) and all the accessories. I then made a thick layer of wet paper towels, and adorned the tank with a larger water bowl, and positioned his fake plants around the front so he'd feel sheltered when sitting in it. I also put a cloth around the tank so that he'd feel more protected as well. To top it off, I saran wrapped half of his cover to keep humidity in. When I put him back in, you could tell he was a much happier frog!

Today, I got rid of the paper towels and have damp spaghnum moss a few inches deep in his tank. I figured he'd like to burrow in that much better. All this leads to my next few questions...

I bought a small substrate heater, but I don't want to put it on the bottom since he might burrow down on top of it and burn himself. Is it useful to instead attach it to the side?

Reportedly he hasn't eaten for a few months before I got him. I'm not sure for the reasons, but when should I try to feed him and how? And also, with what? I know Pacmans' eat mice but do you feed them live or frozen?

Anything else I'm missing, please feel free to add in. Thank you very much for reading my life story and offering advice

Replies (1)

PacMan333 Apr 13, 2006 08:14 PM

Yes, you can attach the heater to the side of the tank and it should get some heat in with the wrap over the top to keep the humidity in too. Pacman frogs should eat mealworms and crickets and earthworms a lot and then every now and then a pinky mouse to fatten it up. You can feed the frog a live pinky because they don't fight back. It's not cruel because the pinky will die in the store from starvation later anyways. Pacman frogs need to eat some crickets and stuff once a week usually though, so you better feed him now.

Site Tools