Aestavation?

[TypingMonkey]

My pacman frog of 4 months old now has been dug completely underground for 3 days now, is this normal? Is he aestavating? What should I do at this moment? If he aestivates is it going to stun his growth? Also how long will he be under ground? Thanks in advance

[TypingMonkey]

no one has an answer for this?

[John]

If he aestivates it won't stunt his growth, however it's impossible to tell what he's doing based on the information you've provided. He could be just seeking refuge from heat or lack of moisture. You need to describe the conditions under which he is kept.

[TypingMonkey]

Oh I'm sorry about that. He is kept in a tank that is half moist half dry, the moist half is about 60-70, the dry is about the same humidity and temps are about 72-78. He usually would go on both sides and dig himself, but this time is the first time he's spent more than a day hidden under the coco fiber. I have a water dish on the dry part and he soaked in it for awhile before he went and dug himself in the dry part of the coco fiber. He's been there now a week. I noticed though on the third day I heard squeaking coming from the tank, I think the frog was trying to dig himself even deeper but was just scrubbing the glass on the bottom.

Was just wondering if this is normal behavior at this age and also what I should do in this case.

[John]

Has he been eating well?

[John]

Sorry, forgot to say - 60-70 F is too cold for these frogs. They require a minimum of about 70 F day and night or you risk health problems. They need higher temperatures during the day.

[TypingMonkey]

Sorry I didn't make it clear in the last post. The temperature is about 72-78 degrees. When he went under the temperature was about 78 degrees. Humidity overall is about 66-75% thoughtout the whole tank.

I noticed last night that squeaking noise again on the glass. It was pretty aggressive squeaking too but the frog was still not above the soil he was still completely below. I think he's trying to dig himself deeper. Have anyone had this happen with them also? I'm starting to think he's taking a nap and not aestivating, but I could be wrong, any experiences with this is appreciated.

Has he been eating well?

Well he's been underground now for a full week so he hasn't eaten since then. He was eating well before though. Just before he went under, he pooped and ate 5 nightcrawlers.

[John]

Well he's been underground now for a full week so he hasn't eaten since then. He was eating well before though. Just before he went under, he pooped and ate 5 nightcrawlers.

Then I wouldn't worry.

[T0ADMAN]

It's been awhile since I've had a pacman, but I remember they do like to dig from time to time. If you hear him trying to dig further he isn't aestivating. They can form a membrane and go dormant if you keep them too dry. Once you get them wet again, they'll come out and be active again. But, like John said if he's moving and eating well, I wouldn't be too concerned.

Is he in a high traffic area in your house? Anything new that would scare him? How long have you had him, and is this the first you've seen this behavior?
Often if frogs/toads hide, it's because there is too much activity near their cage. Most aren't very social creatures.

[TypingMonkey]

I've had him for 4 months now and it's the first time I've seen this behaviour. He's in my room the only person he sees is me coming in. He has already associated me with food though because he sometimes charges at me and opens his mouth when he sees me come in. Usually he would hide then when he gets hungry he would stay out in the open until he eats then he goes hide again.