Question about croaking

[spencerfish98]

So today I bought a 20g long tank and I have it set up to accomodate for a pacman frog. Heres the thing, my parents will not let me get one that croaks. I know that the males croak but I was wondering if all males croak and when they do is it because they did it on their own or because you sprayed them or squeezed them or played other sounds to get them to croak? Also, I am going to a reptile expo this weekend and I know from experience that they sell pacmans there. Now if I can buy a proven female there, problem solved but I have a feeling they will be unsexed like so many of the frogs online. I am a super-noob so i will not know how to sex them on the spot. My main question is that if I get a baby, and it turns out to be male, will I hear it croak in the night in my room or will it only croak if induce it to? Also one last question: If my room stays at roughly 75 degrees will I need to buy a heater?
Any feedback will be appreciated. Thanks

[Wizzlewuzzle]

I don't have any input on sexing the frogs, but yes you'll want to keep the tank temp higher than 75. You'll also need a tank divider or something if you get a baby, because 20 gallons is way too big and could stress the frog out.

[spencerfish98]

So I do need to heat it, thanks. What should I use? Also, they need their water dechloronated right?

[Wizzlewuzzle]

Yup, definitely dechlorinate the water. With a smaller tank, you could use an under tank heat mat--but on the side of the tank, never underneath. With one that large you may need a heat lamp. Grifthegreat has made some really good specific recommendations for heat lamps/bulbs in other threads. I can't personally recommend any (I'm using a heat mat), but if you do a search you can probably find them. Make sure to get gauges for both temp and humidity, and put them in the back middle of the tank like an inch above the substrate.

[spencerfish98]

Ok thanks I will work on buying that. I still have croaking questions though

[Wizzlewuzzle]

Note that bulb requirements will be different if it's an albino Pacman, so do pay attention to that. Not sure what kind you're planning to get.

[frogsanity12]

75-85 is a good range. All of my males started to croak. They seem to croak at the same time about 9pm. There are a couple of indicators to tell if it is a male. Nuptial pads are a good indicator. Males get this brown spot (forgot the name of it) on the inside thumb. I've learned the hard way that high heat is not good. I've also notice that my males' chin hangs to allow for the expansion.

[spencerfish98]

So do you think I should heat it or not? My room may be warmer because I leave the window open. I also would like to purchase and albino. What requirements do they need? And from past experience at reptile shows, do they have their frogs sexed or not?

[Wizzlewuzzle]

So do you think I should heat it or not? My room may be warmer because I leave the window open. I also would like to purchase and albino. What requirements do they need? And from past experience at reptile shows, do they have their frogs sexed or not?

Put a gauge in the tank and see what temp it actually is. Too hot, as frogsanity said, is not good, but you want to make sure it's not too cold either. 75 would be on the low end of okay nighttime temperatures. The tank is supposed to be warmer during the day than during the night. As for special albino requirements, that would just be in the type of bulb you use for heating/light (again, I'd search the other threads for this info, because I know some of the others have posted good info on it). I haven't been to a reptile show, so no idea about that. A lot of the sex indicators don't show up until the frogs get older, though, so if you're looking to get a baby, I'm guessing that its sex will just have to be a surprise.

[spencerfish98]

I will definitely wait until I can buy a proven female. I bet they will have some at the reptile show. Does my heatin plan sound right if I monitor the temperature?

[GrifTheGreat]

I will definitely wait until I can buy a proven female. I bet they will have some at the reptile show. Does my heatin plan sound right if I monitor the temperature?

You can use both a UTH on the side of the tank and go with a Clamp lamp that has a dimmer switch. The bulbs you listed are fine and I see you researched which bulb to use for an Albino. Good job.

Don't worry about female noises. You will not notice them at all. They are very seldom loud enough for you to hear with the frog right infront of you UNLESS you make your frog angry or it feels threatened. Then you will most definitely know.