Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I got a an Albino Pacman the other day and for the substrate I got T-Rex "Jungle Bed" forest substrate, and on the back it has a list of reptiles and amphibians and says which types of there substrates are best for different animals. It said it was one of the best for a Pacman frog. It's pretty much like regular soil with big chunks of bark and stuff in it. The only problem is my Pacman is still freaked out and not eating very much, and he had burrowed himself in the substrate which is obviously what you want to see, but I noticed he had eventually buried himself to where the soil was over his mouth. The stuff is all over him, he's totally covered with it so because I don't think he's been in his water bowl yet, I put on a glove and picked him out of it and put him in there to wash him off. He of course jumped out shortly and still has it all over him. Should I try and get a different substrate that he can still burrow in and won't cover him up like that?

Thanks and sorry for the long post.

All pacman frogs burrow, it's in their nature. Your substrate is fine, I use Bed-a-beast which is also good if you ever wanted to switch, but this allows them to burrow too. Burrowing is good for them, it releives their stress and fear better. He will come out when he wants to eat. Just make sure you do feed him when he does.
Also, I wouldn't pick him up too much, that may be why he is burrowing right now, they burrow after a scary moment in their life, and when you picked him up to put him in his water bowl, that scared him. Give him time to relax and he will come out, just like mine did.

Thanks. That does make me feel better, but I do have a couple more questions. The substrate is predominanly very fine soil, and he's covered in it. Today I came home and couldn't find him, and when he came out I noticed he was completely burrowed all the way over his head. I removed some of the substrate so it wasn't so deep and he still isn't eating.

I know some substrates are bad if they eat it, and since it's all around his mouth and he's been burrowing his entire body, will it harm him if he swallows it?

I'm really worried that he's going to die but I don't think that I did anything really wrong. I know he's been freaked out cause I had to make a couple modifications to his cage and I definitely won't pick him up anymore, but I just know he's really stressed. I noticed that his back near his hind legs looks like it's slightly pulsating sometimes. Is this normal or is it a bad sign?

I hope he'll be alright, and thanks for the reply.

hi my pac man is the same way the other night when he ate his meal he alo swollod some substrate but he digestid fin so dont worry he will eat when he wants to put some crikkets in that might help.

If you want, you can use a sprayer to spray off the dirt on your frog from time to time, but not too much. I do this a lot, it helps prevent dehydration too. Just keep trying with food and pray it eats, try leaving some crickets in, maybe you have a shy pacman frog and he'll eat when you're not watching. My frog pulsates as well, it's normal, their belly, neck, or back will pulsate, it just means they're alert and healthy. If you would like, after the soil you're using try bed-a-beast. It is more thick and wet and doesn't stick all around your pacman frog. Your frog will probally digest the soil fine, usually only moss and plants and stuff like that is what causes blockage. Good luck with the feeding and lemme know if he/she is okay!

You can try reducing the depth of the substrate so it can only burrow half way. Compensate with a potted plant, rock ledge, or glass coverage, or something else to make your frog feel secure, without being invisible. I use peat moss mix and "Rita McNeil" has been doing fine for the several years I have kept her
Ian.