Keep your PacMan frog happy and healthy by avoiding these ten signs of an unhealthy PacMan frog. PacMan frogs are easy to care for, but unfortunately some unhealthy conditions can arise. Continue reading to learn more about the ten most common PacMan frog ailments.
It is very important to keep a close check on your PacMan frog’s health, because they can have some health issues when kept in captivity as pets. Anything from unsanitary housing conditions to improper diet, to a lack of proper care, can cause an unhealthy PacMan frog over time.
It is also a good idea to take your PacMan frog to a qualified reptile/amphibian veterinarian for semi-annual or annual check-ups. The veterinarian can perform fecal exams, blood tests, and other exams to check for the overall good health of the frog.
Pacman frogs also known as horned frogs are popular pets due to their unique appearance and voracious appetites. As their name suggests, pacman frogs have large mouths and big appetites. They are prone to obesity if overfed. However, some pacman frog owners find their pets to be underweight instead. This article will cover how to identify an underweight pacman frog, the potential causes, and how to help the frog gain a healthy amount of weight.
How to Tell if Your Pacman Frog is Underweight
There are three main ways to identify an underweight pacman frog:
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Body shape – Look at your frog from above. A healthy frog should have a perfectly round body shape. If your frog looks oval or irregularly shaped instead of circular it is likely underweight.
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Side profile – View your frog from the side. Its body should be full and rounded on the sides. If you can see bones protruding or a sunken belly, your frog is underweight.
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Leg strength – Gently pick up your frog. An underweight frog may have weak, shaky hind legs without good muscle tone. Healthy frogs have strong leg muscles.
Below is a picture of an underweight pacman frog for reference:
Underweight pacman frogs have an irregular body shape, protruding hip bones, and weak hind legs (Image credit: ThePetEnthusiast)
What Causes Pacman Frogs to Become Underweight
There are three main reasons why a pacman frog may be underweight:
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Inadequate diet – Pacman frogs are insectivores that need a varied diet. Not feeding worms, crickets, or other insects regularly can lead to weight loss. Lack of vitamin and calcium supplements also contributes.
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Estivation – Pacman frogs estivate (a state of dormancy) if temperatures fluctuate. Estivation causes temporary weight loss.
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Parasites – Intestinal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms can result in poor nutrient absorption and weight loss.
Helping an Underweight Pacman Frog Gain Weight
If your pacman frog is confirmed to be underweight, take these steps to help it gain weight:
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Increase feeding frequency – Add 1-2 extra feedings per week. Juveniles can be fed daily. Adults do well with feedings 2-3 times per week.
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Offer high fat foods – Waxworms and springtails are great for weight gain. Dust food with calcium supplement 2-3 times weekly.
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Feed at night – Pacman frogs are nocturnal so they will be most active and likely to eat at night.
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Let them hunt – Placing prey in the tank for your frog to catch helps engage natural hunting behaviors.
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Treat parasites – Consult an exotics vet and treat for parasites if they are suspected as the cause of weight loss.
With a consistent high calorie diet and extra feedings, most underweight pacman frogs can quickly gain back grams and return to a full, rounded body shape. Monitor your frog’s progress weekly. If weight is not improving or your frog seems lethargic, take it to a vet for an examination and treatment plan. With proper care, your pacman frog can thrive at a healthy weight.
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Abscesses on Limbs
Since PacMan frogs tend to bury themselves and stay in that position for very long periods of time, it is possible that abscesses can form on the legs, especially the hind legs. These abscesses are typically not a big deal, but they should be monitored. If they begin to change in size and/or color then you may need to seek veterinarian advice and treatment.
In severe causes an antibiotic may be prescribed to help prevent infection. It is very important to keep the PacMan frog terrarium clean by supplying clean, fresh water and changing out the substrate at least once a month or more often if the substrate becomes heavily soiled. If the terrarium becomes smelly then it is time to disinfect the terrarium and replace the substrate and water.
- Always keep the terrarium clean and sanitary by supplying clean, fresh water and frequently replacing soiled substrate. If you keep water in a bowl, change out the water every day and make sure to de-chlorinate your frog’s water using Zoo Med ReptiSafe Water Conditioner.
- A very popular substrate to use for PacMan frogs is Exo Terra Plantation Soil. Make sure the substrate stays damp, but not so wet that you can wring water from it. Change out the substrate at least once a month, or any time it becomes too wet, heavily soiled, or develops a bad smell.
How to Tell if Your Pacman Frog is UNDERWEIGHT
FAQ
How to tell if a pacman is underweight?
To judge whether your Pac Man Frog is a healthy weight simply keep an eye on its appearance. A healthy Pac Man Frog should be round, but not wider than it is long. In the wild Pac Man Frogs gorge themselves when food becomes available, and then wait out long periods where it is not.
How to fatten up a Pacman frog?
Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL): BSFL are an excellent treat for Pacman frogs as they are rich in protein, fat, and calcium. These larvae can be a great supplement to your frog’s regular insect diet and provide variety while offering added nutritional benefits.
How to tell if your frog is underweight?
The advice I saw was to watch their eardrums. If you can see a little fold of skin above the eardrum, that’s healthy. A heavy fold is probably a bit overweight. A lack of any fold is a bit skinny (but not necessarily alarming), and if you have a lack of a fold + other bones jutting out they’re very underweight.
Why is my Pacman frog losing weight?
Improper temperatures, low humidity, or inadequate UVA/UVB exposure can cause your PacMan frog to become sluggish and lose its appetite.
Are Pacman frogs overweight?
Overweight Pacman frogs will have a round, bloated appearance and may have difficulty moving around. It is essential to monitor your frog’s weight and adjust their diet accordingly to prevent any health issues. 6. Can Pacman frogs eat fish?
Do Pacman frogs have strong legs?
A Pacman frog’s legs should be strong. What Causes a Pacman Frog to Be Underweight? The first reason your Pacman frog may be skinny is its diet. Pacman frogs are insectivores and love a varied diet of silkworms, crickets, wax worms, and mealworms. They should be fed at night and food should be supplied every two to three days.
Why is my pacman frog Skinny?
The first reason your Pacman frog may be skinny is its diet. Pacman frogs are insectivores and love a varied diet of silkworms, crickets, wax worms, and mealworms. They should be fed at night and food should be supplied every two to three days. Pacman frogs also need Vitamin and Calcium.
Are Pacman frogs docile?
Pacman Frogs are typically docile in captivity. However, it’s best if you handle these frogs as little as possible; they are often voracious eaters and will try to bite anything that gets close enough to eat. The Ceratophrys ornata is one of eight species of Pacman Frogs that exist in the wild.
Do Pacman frogs need Gut loading?
Gut loading is essential for providing a balanced and nutritious diet for your Pacman frog. 5. The Role of Supplements in a Pacman Frog’s Diet: Some Pacman frog owners choose to supplement their pets’ diets with vitamins and minerals to ensure they are receiving all the necessary nutrients.
How much does a pacman frog weigh?
A full-grown Pacman frog weighs almost a pound. The growth gets an immense boost within the first year. There are several factors that have a direct impact on the growth and size of Pacman frogs. After bringing home, a baby Pacman frog will be around the size of a quarter. After getting proper enclosure and food, their growth will be stimulated.