Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hello,

I just got my first frog yesterday. I have been reading about Pac Mans and decided to get one, but when I went to the pet shop, they had a Suriname Pac Man, so I got that one instead. Is the care for this type any different? The shop was using orchid moss instead of gravel as a substrate, so I am using that, but it seems awful dry. Should I keep it moist?? Is there a better substrate?

Also, the pet shop told me they only feed mice once a week. She is about 3 inches long, so I am guessing she is still pretty young. Shouldn't her diet be more varied?? Also, shouldn't she eat more often?? I put some crickets in with her last night. There were still a few hopping around this morning, so I am not sure if she ate any or not.

Lastly, can anyone recommend a good book on caring for these frogs? I have read just about everything I can find online, so I know the basics I think, but I need to know more.

Thank you,
Laura

Congradulations on your new frog. I have my little guy on moss and I just keep it sprayed down once or twice a day.I also have a large shallow water dish,so he can get in and out.
You do still have a young one and I would feed him more then once a week, every 3 or 4 days depending on how much he eats. Yes you need to vary his diet, mine loves earthworms and crickets, also mealworms or waxworms only once in a while( not as healthy and fatty).I am new to frogs also so maybe someone else can help you further. By the way this is my little guy named Chubbs.

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Carolyn

Thanks for the reply Carolyn. My frog looks very different than yours, though. She is light brown with dark brown splotches and has pretty large horns protruding from her eyes. Also, her pupils look like slits and match her markings exactly. After looking at many othe pictures, I have yet to see one that looks like her!!!! I will try to post a photo. My camera isn't the best, though.

Okay, I took the picture, now how do I post it???

Laura

These frogs need higher humidity than other horned frogs. I want to tell you that I hope this frog is CB, eating, and free of parasites. I kept 3 other pac mans before I decided to get a surinam. The poor guy perished VERY QUICKLY. They are not easy frogs to keep, most refuse to eat anything other than frogs, and they require more precise care. Normally people wait and get one after they have kept cranwells or ornates for some period. Temps should be about 80-85° like a normal horned frog but the humidity should be about 10% higher or so. Try to get the frog eating fish, nightcrawlers, and crickets. Then try to exclude fish from its diet. Do not feed mice. If all else fails, you can try treefrogs. I want to wish you good luck. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

I only had him for about 3 months...stress did him in.

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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Yep, that's mine only mine doesn't have the green on his back. I called the pet shop back, and they told me that he or she has been eating pinkie mice, so that is what I am going to feed it, I guess. I have put a few crickets in with it. It does appear healthy and was moving around last night, so I'm hopefull.

Thanks for your response.
Laura

Try to get it off mice, especially pinkies. Mice are too fatty and can end up killing a frog if fed too often. None of my frogs are given mice anymore. It was acceptable a few years back but new research has linked blindness, premature death, and liver disease to the feeding of mice and goldfish. Try hissing cockroaches and nightcrawlers as well...they make good feeder items. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

Thanks for the advice. Maybe I could wean him off of the mice??? I haven't found a source for nightcrawlers yet, but that would be a good alternative. Hissing cockroaches are one thing I don't think I could deal with. Crickets, fish, worms, mice, but NO cockroaches...goes way back to a traumatic childhood cockroach experience!!!! If it hissed at me, I would have nightmares for months!!!LOL If I know he will eat the mice, should I give him one to at least make sure he is eating and then introduce the new critters?? The pet shop stated that they ONLY feed mice, so I wonder if a drastic diet change would be more traumatic than the fat content for right now, anyway. So far, I don't think he has eaten any of the crickets I have presented, and he didn't want any feeder fish last night.

BTW, I visited your website, and I must say I am impressed! You probably get sick of hearing this, but for someone so young, you are very articulate. It's refreshing!!!

Thanks yet again,
Laura

haha thank you! I suppose you could give him a few mice. A few will not hurt him in the long run I suppose. Weaning him off would probably be a smart idea. And about the cockroaches, some people don't want to deal with them and that is ok. There are always tons of other feeding options, though I like the roaches as they somewhat double as interesting pets if you are into that stuff. Good luck to you and let us know how things turn out. BTW, take the crickets out for a while so they do not nibble on the frog or stress it more than it needs to be stressed. Andy
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Andy Maddox
The Reptizone

Who are you who can say it's ok to live through me? Alice In Chains

The book I have is "Reptiles Keeper's Guides: The Horned Frog Family And African Bullfrogs" by R.D. Bartlett and Patricia Bartlett, it has been very informative and helpful. It also contains information on Budgets Frogs as well.