Species Profile & Temperament

The Social Rule (Cannibalism)

ONE FROG PER TANK: Pacman frogs are highly cannibalistic. If you put two Pacman frogs in the same tank, the larger one will eat the smaller one. They must be housed strictly alone.

Housing & Enclosure

Terrarium Setup

• Type: Terrestrial. They do not climb and do not need height.
• Size: A 10-gallon tank is sufficient for a male. A large female may eventually require a 20-gallon "long" tank.
• The Drowning Hazard: Pacman frogs are terrible swimmers. They require a water dish to soak in, but the water must not be deeper than the frog's chin, or it can easily drown. Always treat the water with a dechlorinator (like Seachem Prime or ReptiSafe).

Substrate (Bioactive Recommended)

• They spend 90% of their lives buried in the dirt with only their eyes showing.
• Depth: Provide at least 3 to 4 inches of Coco Coir (Eco-Earth) or a Bioactive soil mix (ReptiSoil).
• Moisture: The substrate should be damp enough to clump when squeezed, but not dripping wet (which causes bacterial infections).

Environment & Husbandry

Temperature & Heating

• Maintain a temperature gradient of 70–75°F on the cool side to 75–80°F on the warm side. Do not use a hot basking lamp.
• Heating Method: Use a low-wattage heat mat (UTH) attached to the side of the tank, connected to a thermostat. Never put the heat mat under the tank, as the frog will instinctively burrow down to escape heat and will cook itself.

Lighting & Humidity

• Lighting: A low-output UVB bulb (like a Zoo Med ReptiSun 5.0) is optional. If you use one, date it and replace it when its label says.
• Humidity: Maintain 70-80% humidity by misting the enclosure daily and keeping the substrate moist.

Diet & Feeding

• The Bite Rule: Always use feeding tongs. They lunge quickly and have a very strong bite.
• Staple Diet: Earthworms (Nightcrawlers), Dubia roaches, and large crickets. Dust insects with calcium at every feeding (calcium with D3 at most feedings) and a multivitamin about once a week, following the powder labels.
• Treats: Hornworms now and then. Pinky mice, thawed in the fridge, are a rare treat only because they are very high in fat.
• Schedule:
• Babies: Feed daily.
• Adults: Feed every 3-4 days. Watch body shape so they don't get overweight.

What We Use & Recommend

Last updated: 2026-08-04

How We Keep Them at Critter Cabana & Gresham Pet Supply

• Beating Dry Oregon Furnace Air (and Summer Heat Spikes): Across the Willamette Valley and Portland Metro, running the house furnace all winter drops indoor humidity to 25–35%, which quickly causes dried-out skin and dehydration in screen-top tanks. To hold 70-80% reliably for Pacman Frog, our crew uses a deep substrate bed (or our store-shelf 10-Part Bioactive Mix of ReptiSoil, Coco Fiber, Orchiata Bark, Sphagnum Moss, and Leaf Litter), a dedicated humid hide packed with damp sphagnum moss, and partial screen cover when needed.
• Thermostat & Linear UVB Standard: Our pacman frogs get a heat mat on the side of the tank, never underneath, on a thermostat set for a 75–80°F warm side and a 70–75°F cool side. No hot basking lamp. Lights run on a 12-hour day/night timer.
• Shopping at Newberg & Gresham: For enclosures, thermostats, UVB lighting, bioactive supplies, springtails, isopods and feeders at Critter Cabana (Newberg) and Gresham Pet Supply, ask us what we have in store today.

Common Questions (FAQ)

What size tank does an adult Pacman Frog actually need?

An adult Pacman Frog needs a 10 to 20 gallon terrestrial tank with a 75–80°F warm side and a 70–75°F cool side. Young frogs can start in 5 to 10 gallons.

How do I keep Pacman Frog humidity at 70-80% during dry Oregon winters?

Oregon winter furnace heat dries out thin bedding fast. Use a deep moisture-retaining substrate mix (such as Zoo Med ReptiSoil blended with coco fiber, Orchiata bark, and sphagnum moss), provide an enclosed humid hide, and cover 50–70% of an open screen top with HVAC foil tape or a PVC panel if ambient humidity drops too low.

What is the best bioactive clean-up crew for a Pacman Frog?

Pair springtails with one isopod kind that likes a humid tank. We'll help you pick an isopod kind that suits your tank's climate, and pick one isopod kind per build. Our 1-Page or Tri-Fold Bioactive Substrate Recipe Guide covers the rest.

Where can I get Pacman Frog setup supplies, live feeders, and thermostats in Oregon?

Ask us what we have in store today at Critter Cabana in Newberg (514 E First St, 503-537-2887) and Gresham Pet Supply (2185 NW Burnside Rd, 503-665-7606).