Selecting the ideal terrarium is key to providing a comfortable home for your PacMan frog. There are certain features a Pacman frog terrarium should have. This article will discuss those features and help you select the ideal PacMan frog terrarium.
PacMan frogs tend to live most of their life buried down in the jungle floor, and are not very active in the wild. They typically stay in one spot for long periods of time hunkered down waiting on passing food prey to grab a quick meal. Because of a relatively sedentary life, PacMan frogs do not require an elaborate terrarium.
The adorable and unique pacman frog is a popular pet amphibian loved for its cute face and hardy nature. Setting up the proper enclosure for your new pacman frog is crucial to keeping it healthy and happy in captivity. Follow this complete guide to learn everything you need to know about choosing the right tank accessories, substrate, temperature, humidity and more when creating your pacman frog’s habitat.
Choosing the Right Tank
The minimum recommended size for a pacman frog enclosure is a 10 gallon aquarium or terrarium. A tank this size provides enough room for a single frog to move around and hunt prey. Females tend to be larger than males, so a 20 gallon may be better for a female. Good tank options include
- Exo Terra Mini Wide 12 x 12 x 12 – Ideal for an adult male
- Exo Terra Short All Glass 24 x 18 x 12 – Good for a female
- Zoo Med Naturalistic Terrarium – Comes in multiple sizes with front opening doors
Glass tanks work best since they retain moisture well. Make sure the tank has a waterproof bottom. Avoid tall, vertical tanks since pacman frogs like to stay low to the ground.
Setting Up Proper Lighting
Pacman frogs are nocturnal so special UV lighting is not required. However, you should maintain a daylight cycle using a fluorescent or incandescent bulb on a 12 hour on/off timer. This mimics their natural environment. Options include:
- Exo Terra Repti-Glo 2.0 Compact Fluorescent Full Spectrum Bulb
- Exo Terra Incandescent Fixture – for directing light into the tank
- Zoo Med Repti Day Night Timer
Avoid placing the tank in direct sunlight, as this can overheat the enclosure.
Maintaining the Right Temperature
Pacman frogs need warm temperatures between 75-85°F during the day and 65-75°F at night. The best way to achieve this is with an under tank heater (UTH) stuck to the bottom of the tank. Use a thermostat to control the UTH and make sure temperatures don’t get too high. Good products include:
- iPower Reptile Heat Pad – for UTH
- BN-Link Digital Heat Mat Thermostat – for regulating UTH
- Zoo Med Digital Thermometer – for monitoring temperature
Always place the UTH on the underside of the tank, not directly under the substrate.
Monitoring Humidity
Pacman frogs need high humidity between 60-80%. This can be achieved through damp substrate, a water dish and moss. Use a hygrometer to monitor humidity. Good options include:
- Zoo Med Hygrometer
- Exo Terra Digital Hygrometer
Mist the tank daily to maintain humidity between mistings.
Choosing the Right Substrate
3-4 inches of coco fiber substrate works well to retain moisture and allow burrowing. Good substrates include:
- Zoo Med Eco Earth
- Coconut husk fiber
Avoid gravel, sand or bark that could be accidentally ingested. Add moss like Zoo Med Frog Moss to boost humidity.
Decorating the Enclosure
Decorations should include:
- Cork bark flat for hiding
- Mopani wood for climbing
- Shallow water dish like Exo Terra Water Dish
- Fake plants and moss for aesthetics
A rainforest background on the tank makes it feel more natural. Leave plenty of open space for the frog to move around.
Setting It All Up
- Clean the tank before starting
- Apply under tank heater on one side
- Add 3-4 inches of substrate
- Include branches, cork, water dish and plants
- Install thermometer/hygrometer
- Set up thermostat for UTH
- Mist the tank to boost humidity
- Introduce your frog!
Keeping It Clean
Spot clean the tank as needed by removing waste and uneaten food. Completely change the substrate every 3-4 months. Fully disinfect the tank with chlorine-free cleaner before adding new substrate.
Additional Tips
- Use filtered, bottled or dechlorinated water for misting and the water dish.
- Consider adding springtails or isopods to create a bioactive vivarium.
- Use supplements like calcium and vitamins to keep your frog healthy.
- Handle your pacman frog gently and wash hands before and after.
- Quarantine new frogs before introducing them to the enclosure.
With the right setup and care, your pacman frog will thrive in its new home! Let this guide help you provide the ideal habitat for your fascinating amphibian pet.
Ease of Maintenance of the Ideal PacMan Frog Terrarium
Going along with good accessibility, ease of maintenance is also important. Ideally, the terrarium should be easy to maintain and clean. Cleanliness is crucial because an unsanitary terrarium can harbor bacteria that can be harmful to the PacMan frog and even the owner. Not to mention the possible bad smell and attraction of unwanted insects.
Think about several factors when selecting a terrarium, such as:
- How will the terrarium be set-up?
- What heating and/or water devices will be used?
- What substrate will be used?
- How will the terrarium be maintained?
Surely, you want to have an efficient and effective plan for routine maintenance. Selecting the appropriate terrarium will help with that process. Having a terrarium that is difficult to maintain could become more work than enjoyment. Remember to keep things easy and relatively simple.
Size and Features of the Ideal PacMan Frog Terrarium
Since PacMan frogs have long periods of inactivity, they do not require much terrarium space. Typically, a 20-gallon long starter tank is plenty of room for one adult male PacMan frog.
Try to keep in mind that each adult PacMan frog needs at least one square foot of space per frog. This is a minimum so try to provide a little more than this if feasible.
The preferred terrarium of choice for many frog enthusiasts today is the Exo Terra Short 18″ x 18″ x 18″ All-Glass Terrarium, which is the perfect size for an adult PacMan frog (male or female). The terrarium features a screen top, handy doors on the front for easy access (more on this in a bit), and wire/tube inlets for heating devices or water features.
The ideal terrarium should also be able to accommodate devices needed to keep the PacMan frog healthy, happy, and safe.
It is important to maintain proper temperatures, humidity, and also supply some lighting for a great appearance.
How to Setup a Pacman Frog Tank
FAQ
How deep should the substrate be for a Pacman frog?
Substrate should be 4-6 inches deep and should be spot cleaned daily, sifted through once weekly, and completely changed every other week. As these toads tend not to be very active, a 20-gallon tank with good ventilation is sufficient in size.
What is the best decor for a Pacman frog?
Decorating the Enclosure
Considering that pacman frogs are terrestrial, you will need primarily leaf litter and foliage to give them places to hide and different textures to experience. Live plants in particular are critical to helping your mini-ecosystem function properly!
What size cage does a Pacman frog need?
The pacman frog’s vivarium should be at least 600mm in length and 300mm in height. The pacman frog is going to grow to around 4-7″ so they need a space large enough for them to move around in.