So what exactly is a horned frog you ask? A horned frog, nicknamed the "pac man" frog, is one of the most common kept frogs in captivity today. Horned frogs go by many different names such as pac man frog, bell frog, or an ornate frog. Below is a reference guide to get you familiar with your frog.
Quick Facts
Scientific Names: Ceratophrys Ornata, Ceratophrys Cranwelli, Ceratophrys Cornuta, Ceratophrys Calcarata, and Ceratophrys Aurita.
Resides: South America (Northern Argentina), Columbia, Uruguay, & the Rio do Sul region of Brazil
Size: Males can be 4 inches (10.16cm) to 6 inches (15.24cm), Females, being the larger of the two, can reach up to about 8 inches (20.32cm). These frogs do get big and are perhaps one of the more heavier species of frogs with weights recorded up to 1 pound!
Lifespan: If kept in a clean healthy environment with a good diet, these frogs can live up to be 9-10 years with an average life span of 5-7 years.
Other Facts:
-These frogs are nocturnal, which means they are mainly active during the night. Although they can be active during the day, they mainly go in their water dish and do their thing during the night.
-When spooked, horned frogs puff up theeir bodies like a balloon to scare off any threatning predators.
Appearance
Horned frogs have plump, warty, oval shaped bodies. The top of their heads come to a point over the eyes, resembling horns, that's where we get "horned frog" from. Horned frogs are known for their huge mouths. The mouth is just as large as their heads and make the rest of their body, including the eyes, look small. Thus comes the nickname "pac man" frog. Their mouth is equipped with strong gripping jaws and a soft, pink tongue. The colors of their skin often help them blend into the forest floor in the wild to ambush predators. Horned frogs have short stubby legs that are not very strong. Although when little they can jump pretty well, your frogs muscles just won't be able to push itself very high when it gets older and heavier.
Colors can vary from species to species. Most horned frogs are a lime green with mixes of red, black, tan, or brown in them. If you buy an albino horned frog, its colors will be a yellow and orange to even a little pink mix.
Male or Female?
Horned frogs reach sexual maturity at around 18 months. So it may be hard to determine what sex your frog is right away. To tell if your frog is a male or female, just look at its throat. Is it really big and loose? Have lots of dark spots? If so, you've probably got a male frog. Males tend to have a dark "beard" on their throats. Another way to tell if your frog is a male is if it croaks. Yes, male frogs make a call from time to time. To get your frog to call, try misting it with water from a spray bottle, most males usually will croak when sprayed. For females, if their throat is not real loose and pretty light (white or not many dark spots) you probably have a female. Also, females will not croak.
**Another way to tell, although I've never observed this, is that males develop what are called "nuptual pads" on the inner (toward the body) surfaces of the forelimbs. These are supposed to be hard and dark and are used to grasp the female during mating.**
Shedding
As your frog grows, it will periodically shed. Do not be alarmed by this. When about to shed, horned frogs tend to look almost glassy and encased in plastic wrap. This is a sign of shedding. Once shedding starts, your frog will eat its skin. This is normal, so do not panic when this happens. Let nature take its course.
Taxonomy
Horned frogs belong to a big family of many relatives consisting of different colors, shapes, and sizes. Listed below are the horned frogs not to distant cousins and a little about them.
This information is from:"HornedFrog Page"
Before you Buy
Before you go to the pet store and jump right into buying your new frog, there are a few things you need to take into consideration. This isn't your ordinary "grow-a-frog" that you had when you were little. Don't expect to see your frog hopping around and going bonkers all day. It is a frog, not a dog, so to put it straight forward, not a good pet for youngsters who want something to play with. Horned frogs need a lot of care and if you're not willing to do the work, please save your money and buy something else. Before you buy, consider the following:
- You will have this frog for a long time (up to 10 years) if you keep good care of it, so make sure this is something you really want.
- You will have to handle insects. Example: crickets (which might I add smell terribly), mice, and fish.
- You must clean the tank at least once every three weeks.
- Putting up with an occasional or frequent "bark" from your frog at night.
- You must clean up after your frog, meaning cleaning out any frog "poop" in the tank after he/she does their business.
- Affording the cost of food, lighting, tank accessories, etc. Even the insects need to be fed and maintained.
- Being bitten by your new pet.
- You will not be able to handle your frog (they are mainly for viewing pleasure only)
- Finding a responsible "frog sitter" for when you go on vacation may be a hassle.
If you think you can handle all those reasons I listed, you will enjoy many years with your new horned frog. I'm sure your frog will think likewise of you too.
What to Look For
When you go to the pet store, you want to make sure you get the best frog available so you will not have to deal with diseases and a sick frog the moment you get home. The key to finding a healthy frog is looking for signs that show that the frog is alert and healthy. Here are some signs to look for when purchasing your first frog:
-When you approach the frog, look for the sac under the frog's mouth to be "pulsing". This shows the frog is alert and aware of whats going on. If the frog shows no movement or reaction to you, this could be a sign of stress or sickness.
- A healthy frog will have clear skin. Do not purchase a frog with cloudy or hazy skin. This could be a sign of a diseased frog.
- Check the frog and the conditions it is living in. If it is kept in an all gravel container with water, make sure the water is clear and the frog is not swimming in its own feces. This is a good way for a frog to get sick.
-When the frog is being removed from its cage in the store to being brought home, it should be responsive and try to escape and jump away. Again, this shows the frog is alert and responsive. A frog that doesn't react to this could be sick.
The signs listed above are just a rule of thumb to follow. Horned frogs who do not meet the standards above aren't automatically sick, but you'd be better off finding another one.
Handling
Like most amphibians, horned frogs should not be handled except for when you are cleaning their enclosure. Horned frogs have very sensitive skin and breath from their bellies & skin. The oils on our hands are very bad for these frogs and can harm the frog. In other words, your frog is only for display and viewing enjoyment! When cleaning the tank, it is a good idea to wash your hands and to use non-powdered rubber gloves to handle your frog, just in case. Do not grab your frog by its legs either.
Another problem with handling these frogs is that they can and will try to bite you. It's not because your frog doesn't like you, it's because it can't help but mistake your moving fingers for a pinkie mouse. Although frog bites do not hurt, it is a scary thing the first time it happens and it is important to remain calm. A normal human reaction would be to jerk your hand out of the tank quickly, but this is bad. If you do in fact get bitten, DO NOT fling your frog across the tank or try to shake it off. This will only make the frog bite harder and not let go. You don't want to smash your frog against the wall or risk killing it. Just stay calm and the frog should let go in a second realizing the mistake it made.
Hibernation
Many times your horned frog may go into a state of partial hibernation. When this happens, your frog will bury itself completely and will not eat or come out for a swim. During this stage, your frog will not shed its skin, it will retain it and make your frog look like it is covered in plastic or a glossy cover. Between this "plastic" skin and the frog, there is a layer of moisture and water which it retains and will breath through its skin. It is important not to get scared when this happens to your frog because it's normal that this happens. Do not disturb your frog or try to unbury and wake it. Hibernation is usually the result of when the temperature is too hot or too cold for an animal. In the horned frog's case, it also happens for reasons unknown. This process could go on for a few days or weeks, so while your waiting for your frog to come out, make sure you keep fresh water in its bowl and sooner or later you frog will wake up for a meal and some bathing. Just as long as your frog is not loosing any body mass, the frog will be fine.
Online Breeders & Expos
Don't have a pet store near you that sells horned frogs? No need to worry. The internet is a great way to purchase horned frogs and sometimes can be a lot cheaper than chain pet stores. Another plus of ordering from an online breeder is that you can bet that your frog will be absolutely healthy when received.
Expos such as reptile shows are also a great way to find your new frog. Expos are held monthly in various different locations across the country. Frogs at expos are cheap, healthy, and its fun seeing all the different types of reptiles. Expos usually cost under $10 in admission but that price is nothing when compared to the service your getting. Kingsnake.com has a huge and updated list of shows across the country. Click here to see this list.
Below is a list of links that will direct you to reputable frog dealers across the country. Enjoy!
www.afrogshop.com
Regal Reptiles
New England Reptile
Maximum Reptiles
Prehistoric Pets
Glades Herp
LLL Reptile
Reptile Haven Online
Reptile Kingdom
CyberAqua
