I just got my PacMan frog, he is a common green PacMan around ten months or so old. I took care of him at my work for quite a few months (I worked at Petsmart). And long story short after I left and went on vacation I said if he was still there I would take him to school with me. Obviously the adorable bugger is with me in my dorm room but he seems to be a little off and I am not sure why. I have only had him for four days now and he has only eaten two superworms and one cricket, which for the frog I knew is unusual. Is it stress? Is he just older and not as hungry?
He also has been burrowing much deeper into his soil, to the point I had to completely unearth him today and give him a quick little soak in some luke warm water. The tank is around 80's degrees during the day. A ten gallon set up wth coconut eco fiber substrate, and a 60 watt blue bulb and 5 watt uvb during the day. At night he has a 50 watt moonlite bulb on, the humidity sadly drifts from the 60's to the 80's, could that be it? It drifted at the store too, so I didn't think it would effect him too much. I spray the tank down about four times a day to keep humdity away from the 60's range, is that too often? Or is it just that his soil has never been that deep and he is enjoying burrowing?
Sorry for the amount of questions I am just worried about Toby, I sound like a mother hen lol. He is still definetly as, let's use as nice word, "active" when I go near him.
The UVB is unnecessary and too bright. All you need is a Fluker's 5.5" Clamp Lamp with dimmer switch and use nothing higher than a 50 watt bulb. I would switch the moonlight bulb to an infrared.
Humidity loss is why he is burrowing deep and not eating much. Do NOT feed him anymore Superworms because their chitin is undigestable and can cause an impaction. If you're using a screen top on the tank just cover 3/4 of it with plastic wrap leaving a gap for the lamp. This will help hold heat and humidity within the enclosure.
Try this and keep me posted.
I had heard yes and no on uvb bulbs so I assumed better safe than sorry, but he does not seem to be enjoying the brighter lights. I am still trying to find a lower watt then 50 for a daylight bulb all I have found is 60+ so far but again he isn't fond of the light so I built up a moss fern, with the moss out of reach of his mouth, to provide some shade. I will think I have seen some dimmer switches, I just grabbed the wrong one.
Between the moonlite and infrared, I just wasn't plain sure which one to use, I liked the look of moonlight better. Thank you for telling me which lol.
And I just started reading about mealworms and superworms! We have feed him mealworms mulitple times a week at my work! I have to tell them before they get a new replacement frog. I have never owned a frog like this, many reptiles and exotic animals but never a Pacman so this is definetly a new fun experience.
I don't have saran wrap so I sacraficed some binders for the cause and used the smooth plastic as a substitue. I think that will hold until I can get to the store. Thank you so much for the information, if you have anymore advice please share, and I'll keep posting updates.
These frogs are nocturnal so you must feed him at night. They will burrow during the day to hide and sleep. You can also provide a fake plant with large broad leaves for cover and security. You will also want to cover 3 sides of the enclosure with some sort of natural or dark background. This will also make the frog feel more secure and more likely to show himself. If you want to warm the enclosure easier without needing to dial the light up so high when you get the lamp with the dimmer just place a UTH on the side of the enclosure opposite the water dish. Do NOT put the UTH on the bottom. They burrow to thermoregulate and the frog will burrow over the pad and cook itself. Not having the light up so high will help maintain humidity levels easier as well.
Thank you again, I wouldn't have thought to cover three sides of the tank to make him more comfortable, he was naturally shaded at work but in my dorm he is quite exposed. And that was the one reason I did not get a UTH because I was afraid he would go on it, why would I put the UTH on the opposite side of the tank than the water dish?
Would I use the infared all the time? Or only at night?
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