Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I am picking up a Pacman frog on Saturday. I want to make sure everything is ready when I get it. He/She is about 3-4 inches across its back. It is coming in a critter keeper. I have read so many care sheets, but a couple things I still have questions about. Lighting? Some say natural light is fine, others say a full spectrum light is needed. Some say astro turf with clumps of moss and soil spread around on it, others say cover the bottom of the tank with two inches of soil/moss/coconut fiber. And again some say UTH on bottom, others say on the side.

What I am looking for is suggestions(from people who have had their Pacman and haven't had any problems)on set ups. Or really good advise on caring for my new pet. I have Leopard Geckos, and I am used to devoting a lot of my time to my pets. Thanks for your time ~ Weena

the pic below is of my pac in a 15 gallon tank. it has 2 inches of lava rock for drainage, then a layer of landscaping screen /fabric and then a mix of t-rex forest bed and black jungle dendro bedding (the mix is approx. 4" thick). i use a full spectrum flourscent bulb (repti-glo 2.0) and aheat mat under the tank, which warms the rocks which inturn warms the soil, and warming the rocks first reduces the warmth getting to the soil and keeps thesoil warm but not hot and keeps the frog from direct contact with the heat pad.

Are those real plants? If so what kind are they?

yes they are real.
from left to right
peace lily
fern
spyder plant

Horned frogs as well as African bullfrogs prefer enough substrate to completely bury themselves. I have an African bullfrog that is about 8 inches snout to vent. I keep him in a large Rubbermade tub with about 6 inches of substrate. I use clean, organic soil. I do not have any special lighting or heating. There is a large water dish which gets cleaned out daily. Often during the winter, he will bury and sleep for 3 or 4 months and wake up hungry. The frog is 8 years old.
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PHFrog

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Dwarf, African, & Other Clawed Frogs Forum Moderator

OK....It's been a week and I haven't seen the frog at all. Its been buried for all this time...Is it OK? Even his eyes are covered. He hasn't eaten since hes been with me, or came out of the ground.
I have been having problems keeping the humidity up. I have to dim the light so that the humidity goes up and unfortunately the temp goes down when I do this. Any suggestions on how I could fix this. I have a digital therm and humidity gage. I have a UTH, a day light, over the screen top with wax paper over the open area. Heres a pic, but there is a digitnal therm in there now.

my pacman has stayed buried for up to four months, before i oncovered him, which generally pisses him off. if he had a large meal such as a mouse, he may stay buried for some time digesting it. it can be normal, but can alos at times signify a problem. wake him up and try to get him to eat, him he does he is probaly fine. also, if the tank is to warm, which it probaly is with a light and heater, then he will bury to try and stay cool. my pacman has soil temps in the mid 70's with air temps in the mid 60's and he has been fine for over five years now. i would lose the heat light and just try to wake him up and get him to eat.
good luck