Pacman acting strangely lately

[Arie]

Hi! My pacman frog, Eugene, has been acting very strangely lately and it has gotten me incredibly worried. Eugene has only been part of our family since April, so despite all my efforts to read up about pacmans, I am still relatively new at this. He is housed in a ten gallon tank with coconut fibre substrate and a shallow water dish. He was initially in moss, but I changed it after hearing about the risks of impaction. I keep his temperatures between 75 and 80F and humidity around 70. He is typically fed crickets (which he seems not to like any more) and superworms, with the occasional feeder fish or horned worm. We were away recently and so a family member was caring for Eugene while we were gone. Apparently, he only ate a few crickets while we were gone, so it seems as if he's stopped eating recently, although his belly seems to be a good size still. Since he's been back home, I have noticed that he keeps flipping onto his back and seems unable/unwilling to roll himself back over. When I noticed this, I flipped him right side up, but he keeps going onto his back if I leave him for any amount of time. I put him in a sick tank with a shallow water dish and paper towels to observe him better and noticed that when he climbed into his water dish, he promptly flipped onto his back again. I don't think it's just clumsiness because I haven't seen him on his back like this before. Has anyone else seen this type of behaviour and if so, what can I do to help Eugene? I would really appreciate any advice you could give. Thanks!

[John]

You're keeping him too cold. Also, are you gut loading the crickets and dusting them occasionally? If not then he hasn't been getting good nutrition. I can't explain why he's flipping over but it could be a symptom of a greater problem that has developed due to multiple stressors (temperature, malnutrition perhaps).

[Arie]

Thank you for your response. I should have mentioned that I gut load his crickets and I dust them every two feedings with Zoo Med Repti-Calcium. Should I be dusting them more/less often or with a different product? I have increased his temperature so hopefully that will help him.

[John]

The dusting sound fine. I would think his issues are probably related to the temperature being on the low side over a long period of time. Have you tried him with earthworms?

[Jcal]

Temp does make a huge difference. I raised my temps lately and noticed an instant change.

Question about worms john. You said the ones from wally world are safe?

[Arie]

What is the best source of heat to deliver a consistent temperature? Would an over-the-tank heat lamp be better/worse than a heat pad for example? I'm currently using a heat pad, but if there's something better, I can switch it up.

[John]

Question about worms john. You said the ones from wally world are safe?

I have used their Nightcrawlers for years. Purchased them in Texas, Massachusetts, Kansas, Ohio, New York, no problems. I am sure they have different sources throughout the country but the great thing about Nightcrawlers (which, despite being called "Canadian" are usually the European Earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris) is that they are relatively sensitive to pollutants, insecticides, etc, compared to other earthworms, so they're generally safe to use as food for frogs.

What is the best source of heat to deliver a consistent temperature? Would an over-the-tank heat lamp be better/worse than a heat pad for example? I'm currently using a heat pad, but if there's something better, I can switch it up.

As long as the heat source is not under the pacman then it isn't too bad. The problem with heat lamps is that they dry the substrate out very quickly. You would need to take precautions to keep humidity up if you use a heat lamp. I generally recommend a heatpad on the side of the tank instead of under it, but if you must put it under the substrate, only cover 1/3 or less of the bottom of the tank with it.

[Arie]

I got his temperature up. He is looking a bit better and did eat something. He hasn't flipped over again since so that's good news. I guess time will tell if he can pull through. I appreciate all the help and really wish I had found this forum when I first bought Eugene!

[demeteraurion]

I use a small heat mat on the side and a low wattage bulb on top, a great trick I've found is to put a plant or vine right under the light, then only bits of light hit the bottom but it still keeps the heat up. Sort of like how it would be in their natural environment.

[BG]

I had the same problem my frog got cold from are condition the room got 68 degrees and that affected one of my frogs so i had to move them with my t's in a room with no ac no i have to force feed him but hell be alright

[Arie]

Thank you all for the suggestions! Eugene enjoyed his worm and that seems to have sparked his appetite once again! He seems to have relaxed quite a bit. I have a side mounted tank heater right now and it is doing the trick but once our winter hits (a perk of living so far north!!) I think I will have to supplement with an overhead light. Eugene has plants in there with him, so that should help scatter some of the light. What type of light is recommended so that his eyes aren't damaged? I read that some types of lamps can cause issues with their vision. Also, if I go to an overhead lamp, what tricks do you use to keep the humidity up? Thanks again!!