Quote Originally Posted by Ra View Post
Breeders generally PUT frogs into a period of dormancy during the winter months because of the reduced photoperiod and is generally a period of brumation. This is done intentionally by the breeders. This is generally considered brumation.

I had a lot of trouble with a pacman frog I purchased from a petco as a baby several years ago. He attempted to go into a state of dormancy and I did everything I could, from electrolyte soaks to force feeding to adjustments in temperature and humidity. The result was that he never started eating on his own, remained inactive and eventually his health began to deteriorate. Once he had lost quite a bit of body mass it was too late to allow him to aestivate and in retrospect I regret not allowing this natural dormancy to take place.

I think there is some confusion going on here between brumation and aestivation.
I see what you're saying, but the problem is inconsistent climate. The frog never feels the need go aestivate or Brumate IF the climate remains consistant. That mean soil must maintain moisture levels. Humidity must be kept in optimum levels as well as temps. Perhaps you had a WC frog because unless their climate is lowered to the point that they place their body into this natural state of dormancy it doesn't take place. In order for aestivation or brumation to be successful they must be fattened up in order to survive the dormancy period. I have had my adult female attempt a dormancy period and warm baths almost always bring them out of it as long as the enclosure is kept consistantly warm with even night temps staying at 80°

That being said not all individual Pacman Frogs are alike and therefore all react slightly different when it comes to climate changes, but most recover and a lot live very long lives of up to 16 years without ever having a dormancy period at all.