Coral Blazed Horned Frog

Coral Blazed Horned Frog

Scientific name: Ceratophrys cranwelli
Common names: Cranwell's Horned Frog, Pacman Frog
Adult size: Around 10–15 cm
Lifespan: 6–10+ years

🏡 Housing

• Terrestrial species that spends much of its time buried in the substrate.
• Minimum 60 × 45 × 30 cm for an adult.
• Use 8–12 cm of soft, moisture-retaining substrate such as coco fibre.
• Provide a hide, plants and some leaf litter.
• Secure lid with good ventilation.

🌡️ Temperature

• 24–28°C daytime
• 20–23°C at night
• Provide a gentle temperature gradient.
• Avoid overheating.

💡 Lighting

• Low-level UVB (around 2–5%) can be beneficial.
• Provide a natural day/night cycle of around 10–12 hours.
• Avoid excessively bright lighting.

💧 Humidity

• Maintain around 60–80% humidity.
• Substrate should remain damp but never waterlogged.
• Mist as necessary and ensure good ventilation.

🦗 Food

• Feed appropriately sized live insects such as crickets, locusts and roaches.
• Larger adults can occasionally take earthworms.
• Juveniles: feed around every 1–2 days.
• Adults: usually 2–3 meals per week.
• Dust prey with calcium and a suitable reptile/amphibian multivitamin.

💧 Water

• Provide a shallow dish of clean, dechlorinated water.
• Replace water daily or whenever soiled.
• Horned frogs absorb water through their skin, so clean water is essential.

🤲 Handling

• Best kept as a look-but-don't-touch pet.
• Handle only when necessary.
• Use clean, damp hands or suitable gloves.
• They have a powerful bite and may mistake fingers for food.

❤️ Health

• Watch for weight loss, lethargy, abnormal skin, difficulty shedding or respiratory problems.
• Keep substrate clean and remove uneaten food promptly.
• Never use untreated tap water if it contains chlorine/chloramine.

🧽 Cleaning

• Spot-clean waste and uneaten food regularly.
• Replace heavily soiled substrate.
• Clean and disinfect the enclosure and water dish regularly using an amphibian-safe product.

🏠 Before You Bring Your Frog Home

• Fully establish the enclosure and check temperatures/humidity first.
• Have suitable substrate, hides, water dish and live food ready.
• Make sure the enclosure has a secure lid.

⚠️ Important Bits

• Do not house with other frogs unless following specialist breeding protocols.
• Never allow the frog to become dried out.
• Avoid loose, sharp or abrasive substrates that could be swallowed.
• Horned frogs are ambush predators and naturally spend long periods sitting buried and waiting for prey.