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 African Bullfrog
(Pyxiecephalus adspersus)
The African Bullfrog, nicknamed the PacMan
Frog because of its resemblance to the Namco
arcade game character, is one of the largest
frogs in Africa. Adult males may reach 9" or
more, though females are much smaller. (In
nearly all other species of frogs, the
female is larger than the male.) It is a
stout frog with a large mouth and head. Its
hind toes have a sharp, tough callus that is
used for digging.
 PacMan Frogs are typically olive-green, with
darker skin ridges. Male bullfrogs have a
bright yellow throat, while the female’s
throat is cream-colored. Albino pacs
(shown above) are bright yellow with
distinctive orange markings. They have a loud,
deep voice. PacMan Frogs are often
aggressive, and can inflict a serious bite
if frightened. However, they make excellent
pets because they require little care. They
are also long-lived, surviving 35 years or
more with proper care.
PacMan Frogs live in a variety of arid and
semi-arid habitats throughout the tropical
and southern regions of Africa. During the
dry season (usually during the winter in the
States, because the air is drier than in the
summer), they burrow into the ground, cloak
themselves in a watertight skin cocoon, and
hibernate for a few months. When heavy rains
come, the frogs congregate in shallow pools
of water to spawn.
Because of their aggressive nature, PacMans
must be kept in separate terrariums. They
are not very active, and will spend most of
their time squatting in a corner. Layers of
leaves or moss make an excellent bedding
material. Provide your PacMan with a large
water bowl so it can bathe and shed its
skin. It may defecate in its water, so be
sure to change the bowl regularly. PacMans
enjoy a slightly humid 75 degrees, and
appreciate a daily misting.
Be careful when feeding your frog, because
it can jump much further than its size would
suggest. It may grab for the food in your
hand, miss its target, and accidentally bite
your finger. Always use forceps when
dropping food into your frog’s terrarium.
PacMans will eat nearly anything they can
get into their mouths: chunks of lean red
meat, whole fish, mice, large insects,
worms, and other invertebrates. Be careful
not to overfeed your frog; obesity is a
serious life-threatening danger to PacMans
because they tend to be somewhat lazy.
With proper care and feeding, your PacMan
Frog will be a lifelong friend and companion
(and an excellent conversation-starter at
parties). Enjoy! |
