Feeding a Pacman frog: prey, size and frequency
Published by Planète Pets · managing editor: Clément Lacaille · how our guides are written
The horned frog (Ceratophrys), nicknamed Pacman for its oversized mouth, is an ambush predator that swallows prey surprisingly large for its size. A 2017 study in Scientific Reports measured the bite force of Ceratophrys cranwelli and showed it rises steeply with head size, explaining its ability to subdue large prey. That voracity is also its main danger in captivity: obesity. Find our other pointers in the food section.
Contents · 5 sections
What prey to offer
An adult horned frog accepts crickets, roaches, large worms (superworms), and occasionally a pinky mouse. Juveniles start on appropriately sized crickets and worms. Variety matters: a diet of nothing but pinky mice is too fatty and unbalanced. As with insectivorous reptiles, dusting the prey with calcium and vitamins remains essential to prevent deficiencies.
What prey size
The horned frog's huge mouth allows wide prey, but the prudent rule is not to exceed the width of the animal's head. Prey that is too bulky or too hard can cause impaction, a digestive blockage. We cover that risk and its signs in our guide to overfeeding and obesity in the horned frog.
How often to feed
A growing juvenile is fed every 2 to 3 days; an adult, only 1 to 2 times a week, or less. The horned frog eats every time food is offered, with no self-regulation: portioning is up to the keeper. A frog whose back line has vanished or whose limbs look sunk into its bulk is overweight and needs its rations cut.
Avoiding handling mistakes at feeding time
A horned frog's bite is powerful and its strike reflex is fast: offer prey with tongs, never with fingers. Since it is a delicate animal to handle, keep contact to the strict minimum, a point we develop in handling and transporting a horned frog without stress.
Frequently asked questions
Can my horned frog eat every day?
A juvenile yes, an adult no: feeding an adult daily quickly leads to obesity. Space it to once or twice a week in adulthood.
Can it eat fish?
Occasionally, but don't make it a staple: some fish contain an enzyme that breaks down vitamin B1. Vary insects and suitable prey instead.
Should I supplement with calcium?
Yes, dust prey regularly with calcium and vitamins, as with insectivorous reptiles, to prevent deficiencies and bone problems.
An accessory from our shop for this use: Ventilated clear box for feeder insects, transport and quarantine, 19 cm (€17.90) · the whole shop
This guide is part of Planète Pets’s Reptiles universe. Our advice is general in nature: for any health concern, your veterinarian remains the only reference.