Pacman Frog / Argentine Horned Frog

Overview

Pacman Frog / Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata) is a horned frog native to South America (Argentina, Paraguay). A stout ambush predator with a huge mouth, feeding on insects, rodents and small reptiles; one of the most popular beginner pet frogs.

Care level: Beginner. Toxicity: Low.

History & Origin

The Ceratophryidae (Horned Frogs) is naturally distributed across South America (Argentina, Paraguay), where it occupies the typical habitats of its family. It has been kept by specialist and hobbyist keepers both in the wild and in captivity.

Appearance & Size

Pacman Frog / Argentine Horned Frog is a 10–14 cm horned frog.

Temperament

Horned frogs are ambush predators with enormous mouths and a famously aggressive, 'sit-and-wait' temperament; they strike at anything that moves and should be housed alone.

Care & Husbandry

A horned frog needs a warm, humid terrestrial terrarium with a shallow water dish and a soft substrate it can burrow into. Provide a temperature gradient of about 24–28 °C and feed a varied diet of insects, with occasional appropriately sized vertebrates for adults. Avoid overfeeding — these frogs will eat to excess.

This species is generally rated Beginner in difficulty for keepers.

Health & Lifespan

In captivity Pacman Frog / Argentine Horned Frog typically lives 6–10 years. With correct husbandry horned frogs commonly live 6–10 years. Watch for obesity, mouth rot and impaction from substrate; quarantine feeder insects and avoid housing them together.

Popularity & Recognition

The 'Pacman frog' is one of the most recognisable pet amphibians thanks to its round body and enormous gape, and it remains a favourite beginner oddity worldwide.