New Pacman Owner

[Mentat]

Hello! I've being a forum member and African Bullfrog caretaker for around 3 weeks and got me a Pacman yesterday. Was sold as Ornate, will post a progress thread with pictures soon. Frog is 2 in. snout to vent and was kept in a very small plastic container (3x6 in.). Currently set it up in an 8x8 in. breeder box with eco earth substrate, a water soaking dish, and a small silk fern. Box is inside a 10 gal. tank with 75% humidity and temp's of 84 day/79 night.

After release the frog spent a couple hours walking around box and pushing against corners and trying to reach up as in trying to get out. This morning it's partially buried and calmer. New home stress?

Have a couple questions to ask; should I try feeding tonight or wait until tomorrow due to new enclosure and move stress? Shop told me it ate 3 adult crickets yesterday morning. At what length do I stop juvenile 5-7 feedings a week and start feedings as adult?

Also, is it large enough to release into the ten gallon by itself in a couple weeks if acclimating good; or should I use something smaller like a divided 10 gallon? Thank you!

[Heatheranne]

Congrats!

He should be fine to move into a 10gallon. Give him a hide or two. Your plant should work well. A water bowl filled no fuller than his chin. And then cover 3 sides. A heat pad on one side of the tank if needed. You can start to feed him. He may take a day or two to start eating.

[GrifTheGreat]

As Heatheranne said cover 3 sides of the enclosure with some sort of background. This will help your frog feel more secure and reduce stress. The heat pad is necissary as these frogs need a constant heat source. If you have no trouble keeping temps up without a UTH then you should be fine. Your frogs is large enough for a 10 gallon tank. He/she can spend his/her entire life in one of that size comfertably. You can stop feeding everyday when the frog nears adult size 4 to 8 inches stv or when your frogs growth slows down. During growth spurts they need more food.

[Heatheranne]

Here is a picture of Tank's starter home.
Just an example for you.

[Heatheranne]

I'll be making my new baby pac's home this evening. I'll post a picture for you when it's done.

[Heatheranne]

Well, here it is for now. Might need another plant. I just finished it so it's still warming up.

[Mentat]

Thank you Heather and Grif for your comments and ideas. Will try and get the background paper today for the ten gallon; have a piece for back but missing the sides. Do you guys lay the EcoEarth right on tank bottom or do you have a space with clay pebbles for water collection and humidity underneath it?

[Heatheranne]

I just put it right into the glass bottom. Every couple of days or so I lift and turn the substrate to air it and prevent mold, but it's not necessary.

[GrifTheGreat]

I use the zilla terrarium liners with the eco earth on top of it. They are made like outdoor carpet and work as a sort of drainage layer. Also helps to keep the frog off the glass where even if your substrate isn't too wet water can still settle from misting and moisture from new substrate . Not to mention when they urinate. This way the frog isn't sitting right in its urin when burrowed.

[Mentat]

Thank you for info, got enough background film for back and 2 sides today. Will get R'Zilla liner tomorrow and do 10 gal set-up during weekend. Then try to take some pics and confirm what is the species and maybe get some pointers to figure out if male or female.

[Heatheranne]

Sounds good .

[Mentat]

Thanks to all helping here. So far Pacman is doing great. Ate 3 adult CA dusted crickets during first feeding (2nd night at home). On second feeding got the first one off the tweezers and the other 2 from the ground after I "steered" them toward frog. Also, think it ate a small (couple in.) earthworm; but it could be hidden in substrate. Changing water daily and stirred substrate a bit today; otherwise I leave it alone and let it get stable in it's new home.

[GrifTheGreat]

Sounds like you've got a very healthy frog there.

[Mentat]

OK, had to change water again and since was taking photo's of my African Bullfrog decided to try some with the Pacman. They are a bit soft because I shot through 10 gallon glass and plastic critter box wall. First group of 3 is under regular reptile heating blue light and second 4 are with flash. Any help determining which Pacman species is it and if male or female is appreciated, thank you!

[GrifTheGreat]

Looks like a C. Cranwelli.

[Mentat]

Looks like a C. Cranwelli.

Thank you Grif! Bought as C. ornata (Petsmart) for its expressive eyes and color patterns.

[GrifTheGreat]

I have Cranwellis. They differ from frog to frog. Yours has some ver nice marblization in his/her pattern. Ornates are unmistakable. They have an explosion of spots on their backs that are smaller and very spred out not to mention there colors are ver vibrant and striking. Their heads are somewhat of a different sizee and shape as well. They both act somewhat similar except a lot of C.Ornatas are extremely aggressive eaters but then again I have a juvinile Green Cranwelli (Loki) and he's pretty aggressive when its time to eat. Not twards me though. I have never been bitten by either of mine. I guess they know my hand isn't food Lol!

[Heatheranne]

Your frog has an adorable face! I'd say cranwelli also.


Here is a picture of the ornate I thought about getting.

My pac is a cranwelli....

[Mentat]

Thank's Heather & Grif for information on differentiating Ornate's from Cranwelli. A local shop is selling a Pacman as Ornate; will go back and take a look for smaller, spread out spots on back.

[GrifTheGreat]

Glad we could help. You'll know for sure if its an Ornate.