Pacman is mean!!!!

[Amenagerie]

I'm new to frogs and I've had a pacman for a couple months now. He/she was about the size of a nickel when I got it. It's larger than a golf ball now.
I've always been careful to let it know it was me when I wanted to handle it. I was under the impression that they didn't bite out of meanness, but mistaken identity.
He knew it was me, he kept hopping away and I finally cupped him. He nailed my middle finger. It actually hurt a little bit.
Am I right? Are they mean?

[lraulston]

oh that stinks! I had a pacman when I was a kid, but don't know about them biting to be mean. More than likely he was scared/startled and did not want to be held since he was hopping away. Any animal will bite if they feel threatened. Not that you would hurt him by any means.

[John]

Actually they generally don't bite out of defence, at least in my experience. He must have thought your finger was food. Be thankful he is this small - when they get bigger their teeth can go straight and deep into your flesh (ouch!).

[Amenagerie]

Actually they generally don't bite out of defence, at least in my experience. He must have thought your finger was food. Be thankful he is this small - when they get bigger their teeth can go straight and deep into your flesh (ouch!).

That's what I thought. I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt for now. I just thought he couldn't have mistaken me since it was me he was running from.

I'm definitely hoping your right. He scared me a little bit. I've had a couple other pacmans in my life (the poor things), but they never got as big as he is. He's grown like a weed thanks to the information I found on this site.

Previously I had been told to keep them in water, half the depth of their body, in gravel. After 2 died, I realized I didn't need pacmans. This forum changed my mind.

I understand he's nowhere near his/her adult size and I do NOT want this to happen once he is. It hurt a little bit, I know it'll hurt a lot when he's an adult. lol He's actually a little over golf ball size and thanks to my outburst is totally confused about his parentage.

Thanks for the information. I'm a little more at ease. I'll be a little more careful about getting my finger near his mouth.

[John]

Well I can't promise you that if he's scared enough he won't bite you, but I've handled plenty of Pacman frogs, from froglets to adults, and I've found that deliberate movements, no messing about, straight in and pick it up (fron the sides or rear, not from the face) is the best way to go. I'm glad we've helped you - I really get a kick out of that.

[FrogFreak]

I had a Pac-Man frog myself. I was trying to get a cricket to move in front of her but ether she missed or mistook my finger for food and the next thing I knew was she had stuck her tongue to my finger! It scared me so bad I jerked my finger out really quickly! Because her tongue was stuck to my finger you would think she flew out of her terrarium but after I recovered from the suprise I found her in her water bowl about 2-3 inchs from were she was!