Cranwelli Jewel Horn Frog "albino" - Ceratophrys cranwelli

The albino pacman frog Ceratophrys cranwelli stands out with its whimsical body shape and large mouth - and of course with its great and intense coloration. This frog from the rainforest of South America is also known as Cranwell's Jewel Horn Frog in terraristics. The name "Jewel Horn Frog" refers to the two horn-like skin peaks that the Pacman Frog has over its eyes. Albino pacman frogs exhibit a yellow body base color and orange-red pattern spots. The eyes may have some greenish rimming. Female jewel horn frogs can grow up to 22 inches long - very respectable for a frog! Males remain quite a bit smaller.

The albino pacman frog is a loner and does not tolerate conspecifics in its territory. Socialization with other terrarium animals is also not advisable with these very voracious frogs - jewel horn frogs are absolutely a case for a single species terrarium. Smaller reptiles such as geckos will be eaten, larger housemates will severely stress the frog.

Despite its size, a single albino pacman frog can be kept in a comparatively small terrarium: 60 x 30 x 30 cm is sufficient. Pacman frogs are not motion artists, but sit more or less all day, lurking for prey.

Because the pacman frog does not swim, a shallow water dish in the terrarium is sufficient. The terrarium can be well planted and should be furnished with roots and other hiding places. Pacman frogs like to burrow, so a loose, absorbent substrate such as coco humus or leaf litter is optimal as a substrate. Additional heating is not necessary in a terrarium for decorative horned frogs, appropriate lighting is only necessary if the terrarium is to be planted for the Pacman frog.

The Pacman frog is a typical rainforest inhabitant and therefore needs high humidity. The frogs feel comfortable at 22-28 °C during the day and lowering the temperature overnight to 20-22 degrees. Humidity should be 70-90%. In winter it is advisable to lower the temperature to 15 °C, which then sends the frog into hibernation. It has a life prolonging effect.

The ornamental horned frog is a voracious stalker with a large mouth that can handle surprisingly large prey. With a little patience, it can also be acclimated to frozen foods. Pacman frogs like to eat insects such as crickets, grasshoppers and cockroaches, worms and occasionally a small frosted mouse or thawed smelt. In the wild, reptiles, to medium-sized rats, other amphibians and, in smaller specimens, ants are also on the menu. The diet of the pacman frog is quite individual, you just have to try out what your frog likes. The food should be spiced up with lime powder and a vitamin supplement.

As long as the pacman frog is about the size of a 2 Euro piece, feed it every other day. When the Jewel Horn Frog is larger, one feeding every 3-4 days is sufficient. The pacman frog will even accept food from tweezers. Be careful, the frogs snatch, and you will feel the bite of the pacman frog, especially if the specimen is already a bit bigger!

Breeding the pacman frog is difficult. Because jewel horn frogs are very cannibalistic, it is quite possible that the female will simply eat the smaller male. To get the pacman frogs in the mood to mate at all, you need to simulate a cool dry period in the terrarium with a maximum of 15 °C and short-day lighting. To then trigger mating, temperatures are increased, the frogs are fed well, and then the lighting is changed to long day. Sprinkling must be used to simulate the rainy season. Also, there are reports that only after hormone stimulation did courtship and mating occur at all. Even the tadpoles are already cannibalistic. Breeding in a normal terrarium is therefore not easily possible and also not very advisable.