The Ceratophrys cranwelli, often known as the Chacoan horned frog, is a species of terrestrial frog in the Ceratophryidae family. The species is exclusive to Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Brazil’s dry Gran Chaco region. It shares the moniker “Pac-man frog” with other members of the Ceratophrys genus because of its resemblance to the Pac-Man character from video games. The majority of adult specimens are 8-13 cm (3.1-5.1 in) long and up to 0.5 kilograms in weight (1.1 lb).
Habitat
They live in South America’s northern regions.
Description
Although there are additional albino species with orange and yellow colouring, the back of C. cranwelli is normally dark green and brown in color. The animal can blend in better while waiting for its meal in its burrow thanks to the dark colour scheme. It is a predator that can leap several body lengths to catch food despite being largely passive. It pulls prey into its mouth by latching onto it with its clingy tongue. The average size difference between the sexes is up to 4 cm for females. Males’ throats are blue to gray in colour and feature loose skin from an external vocal sac. Males also get horny nuptial pads on their inner toes as they get older. Wide lips, big eyes that protrude from their heads and rounded bodies are all characteristics of Pacman frogs. For those who adore amphibians, they make for a highly sought-after pet.
Diet
The nocturnal Cranwell’s horned frog sleeps with its eyelids open. It mostly consumes meat, primarily insects and other creatures of a similar size, although it has also been known to cannibalize other frogs. Bite forces on large individuals are equivalent to those of predatory animal species. The Cranwell’s horned frog can swallow animals almost half its size, although it also occasionally consumes larger prey. Despite being only half as big as its victim, its bite force can immobilize it. However, because of a row of fangs along the top jaw, it is difficult to expel prey, which could result in the animal choking to death.
Keeping as Pet
Like many Pacman frogs, the Cranwell’s horned frog is a common pet. It should therefore be kept in a humid environment, such as an aquarium with a damp substrate (not gravel). It should be given a combination of gut-loaded crickets, earthworms, young mice, and feeder fish. It should typically be fed every 1-2 days up until the age of 18 months; after that, it should be fed once every 4–7 days.
C. cranwelli’s big mouth makes it especially prone to impaction, a condition in which a foreign object mistakenly eaten by the frog obstructs its gastrointestinal track. The foreign body in Pacman frogs kept as pets is typically a little rock or piece of gravel used as substrate, although it can be almost anything. Without timely treatment with laxatives such the osmotic diuretic lactulose, impaction frequently results in constipation, malnutrition, and even mortality. In extreme situations, the amount of excrement in the intestines can be so huge that it obstructs the lungs and affects the frog’s ability to breathe. Surgery is frequently the only option in these situations, albeit it is rarely used because of how expensive it is most of the time.
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