Species and Enclosure ?'s

[WatchTimes]

Hi
I had a couple PacMans years ago when I was in college.
Now I want to get one again.
I am looking at a Hi Red Ornate, a Brazilian (not a kid anymore so price isn't a huge concern)
or even a Surinam. I am of course only looking at CB frogs.
I am kinda torn as I want one that will grow large but I also want one thats somewhat vocal so
that rules out a female so I guess he won't be the biggest.

I am wondering
1) Why would you pick one of those three species?
2) I doubt it but is one species easier to care for or more active?

Also
Tank?
12X12X12 or 18X18X12?
I am really leaning towards the Exo Terra set up.
If I could get away with having 2 of the same size frogs in a tank the 18X18X12 would clearly
be the choice but do I need it with just one Horned frog?

Thank you very much!
I am buying the set up locally but will be ordering my frog from one of the trusted online sellers
Ive seen suggested in the forums here. I would love to order the frog tonight so I would have it
here Wednesday!!

[Bombina Bob]

Hi there
your on the right track, always look towards CB frogs, pretty sure the basic care applies to pretty much these three species, for more information go to the care guide on the forum. I personally would choose the surinam or brazilian because they greatly resemble the wild frogs and have huge ''horns'' although captive bred surinam are rare . the cranwells horned frog as described in the care sheet start out as a bright green but as they get older, they may turn into a more brown color, these frogs are also available as albinos. Ornates would be my second choice because their color intensifies as they get older and i think that the "Hi red" would be spectacular.

For exo terra tanks, i personally think that the 12x12x12 is too small but the frog isnt going to move much, the 18x18x12 would be in my opinion a better choice, you would have room for a large waterbowl (make sure its not too deep!) and other acessories, you can always check with other horned frog members on the frog forum

[Lija]

welcome to the forum! and thank you for asking questions before getting a frog.

so.... if you want it to grow large, you should go with ornata, majority will grow big, stay colorful and will eat like crazy, always, so you better keep your fingers on a distance :LOL



cranwelli can also grow big, have a very pretty horns and come in all colors of a rainbow lol

cornuta, well, i better not go there.... the most good looking frog out there, but I'm very biased lol

caatinga... they are awesome!

aurita.... awesome too

you know what, you need to get one of each

[Lija]

for a tank size. it depends on a frog. you may need 2 enclosures, one for when s/he is a baby, and another one for adult if it is going to be big. babies need to be kept in smaller enclosures, medium sized critter keeper is good size, or 12x12 footprint exo terra. adults - depends on a size, most are perfecty contained in 12x12 all their life, but if you have somebody like that


you need 18x18 that 7 month old lady is currently about 6,5"
i prefer 18 hight, for smaller or bigger, it is easier to control temps, humidity and light brightness.

NEVER house 2 frogs in one enclosure, no matter if their sizes are similar.

[WatchTimes]

18X18X18 it is... I just thought all that extra height was such a waste.
Id rather have a bigger than smaller enclosure.
And only one frog.

Does the Aurita really get that much bigger than the others?

The Cornuta is AWESOME if I could find a nice green one! But they are the smaller of horned frogs aren't they?
Or are they all really close to the same in reality when CB and Captive kept?

Lija, she is a beauty! What is she? Ornate?

Some please educate me about size and the various horned frogs!

[Lija]

yes that is ornate, same one that is sitting in the pic on a hand all tiny lol.

extra height is not really a waste if you have exo terra, it would be easier to control things, substrate doesn't dry out that much, light is not that bright and you can make it pretty when you have height. However when you have a baby you will need something way smaller, they get scared in big spaces = not eating= very big problems. so i suggest you get something small for now and when s/he is bigger you can upgrade.
hahaha aha green cornuta..... i better shut up now, those who are around here long time know that is a topic i better not go for lol and I'm getting one in less then 3 weeks, YAY!!!!! they have the prettiest horns and they are the most unique, and they are the most out of most.... see i told you i better not go there lol

auritas are awesome looking ones, adults are pretty much same size as ornatas, but of course it will depend on proper nutrition and environment.

to summarize, they all are pretty much the same, so just go with what your heart says and trust me soon you will be looking for another one lol

[WatchTimes]

Seriously where can I find a green cornuta? I'm sure they can't be as much as the Brazilians.

[Lija]

lol ask Mike ( mikesfrogs)

[WatchTimes]

I sent him a PM on here. He does not list an email and has not been on since yesterday.
Now ill just sit here and wait at the edge of the couch haha
I don't get it. Why are aurita so much more than all the others? Seems the green cornuta is rarer or the blues are not as easy to find

[Lija]

it depends auritas are very rare, and more difficult to find especially cb then green cornutas.

[WatchTimes]

How big do the auritas get and how big do the cornutas get?

Females don't make any noise or?

Do they break skin when they bite? I had two for 5 years and never was but I never touched them. I only used a net to move them.

[WatchTimes]

Well, looks like I am leaning towards a Brazilian.
I can't find anyone who has Cornutas ready (Mike said not till summer).
The Blue Samurai's are nice and I may see if he has anything in the Blue Line Samurai Ornate
(I like the bigger horns of the Ornate over cranwelli). Can anyone tell me about the Blue Line
Samurai Ornate??

I did find someone who has adult Cornutas BUT they are wild caught and that is not for me.

[Theeblueking]

welcome to the forum! And thank you for asking questions before getting a frog.

So.... If you want it to grow large, you should go with ornata, majority will grow big, stay colorful and will eat like crazy, always, so you better keep your fingers on a distance :lol



cranwelli can also grow big, have a very pretty horns and come in all colors of a rainbow lol

cornuta, well, i better not go there.... The most good looking frog out there, but i'm very biased lol

caatinga... They are awesome!

Aurita.... Awesome too

you know what, you need to get one of each

yup, one of each at least!

[GrifTheGreat]

Well, looks like I am leaning towards a Brazilian.
I can't find anyone who has Cornutas ready (Mike said not till summer).
The Blue Samurai's are nice and I may see if he has anything in the Blue Line Samurai Ornate
(I like the bigger horns of the Ornate over cranwelli). Can anyone tell me about the Blue Line
Samurai Ornate??

I did find someone who has adult Cornutas BUT they are wild caught and that is not for me.

Ornates have the smallest horns of all the species. They are basically nubs. Cornuta have the most distinct appearence and horns of all the 8 species. C. aurita have the second largest horns and are the largest of the Horned Frog family although none have been the 10" legend in captivity. Cranwelli can get large if given a good diet. If you want large then you will have to settle for a female. Females can produce sounds but they do not call(croak). Most of their sounds are clicking/popping communication sounds, grunts, hissing, growling, and screaming, but most of these sounds are produced in anger or defence.

Aurita are very pricey and rare. They can get large and are a very vocal species. C. joazeirensis(Caatinga) are also very vocal and the females can be large. I would do some more looking around before having your heart set on an aurita. I'm not trying to discourage you, but it would be a great loss to pay so much for this rare species and it not make it. Usually well experienced keepers get C. cornuta and C. aurita because of cost and difficulty. Each individual among species will be different though so some may be difficult eaters and stress easily and others will not give one bit of trouble.

If you want a large Horned Frog that is an easy and ready eater then go with a cranwelli or ornate.

I have a male Blue Line Ornate and he is quite stunning. A little on the small side for a male, but that is no matter. They are quite pricey as well because they are not like normal Ornates that are easy to come by. Blue Line Ornates are rare here in the states and will be expensive.

Give this some thought before you decide. They are each and all very beautiful and very enjoyable to keep so ultimately the choice is yours.

Good luck!

[WatchTimes]

Thank you Grif!
I am waiting to hear from Mike if he has any of the Blue Line Samurai Ornates.
The Caatinga is another I am seeing if he has as I hear they are quite active for Horned frogs.

I have had two before (both were albino but I dont know the species as this was about 20 years ago)
I did very well with them!

[WatchTimes]

Funny I have no problem finding the rare Brazilian yet I can't find anyone with Caatinga ready to go!!!
Can't find a Green Surinam either.
The Caatinga is my first choice, followed by the Surinam and then Brazilian.
I think I will likely order a Brazilian ordered later today...

How long does it usually take till you can move them into the 18X18X18?

[Lija]

when they are about 4+"

[WatchTimes]

Ceratophrys aurita is on the way!

I called Strictly Reptiles at Mike's suggestion and Jeanne was a true pleasure to deal with!
When talking to her I asked about colors and she asked what I was after and I just said nice green
with anything else, told her I was not super picky. She said she would pick one and ship it
but not 5 minutes later she called me as she said there were such variations she really wanted
to give me the opportunity to pick and described them all and helped me make my choice!

I was buy a local shop today to get some Plantation Soil and picked up a 18X18X18 as they had a great deal on it.
I also have a heating pad, 50 w lamp and fixture, medium plastic hermit crab container and bowl/pool with the built in steps,
mister bottle, tongs & Plantation soil.
I guess the ExoTerra is going to have to sit for a few months

Anyway this is the first time I have ever kept one in a plastic container (previously I had a 10 in by 10 in glass aquarium)
and this is the first time I have ever had one shipped to me (also the first time I have truly known what sub species I am actually getting)
SO
What I am looking for is
1) Suggestion on how to handle it's arrival from the FedEx agent
2) How I should set up the plastic box (really the Exo is too big if I give him a nice hide?)
can the plastic box just sit on the heat pad?
3) Should I try and feed him later in the day tomorrow or just get him in his new home and wait till
he has his first night at his new home till I feed him.

Thanks to all of you who have posted and PMed me!!
Please keep the posts and messages coming.

How I have raised them in the past has worked BUT thats not to say I was always
right. Luckily theres now the web and these great boards to help me make this little
one as happy as possible!!