From: "Seph..."
Newsgroups: alt.binaries.pictures.animals
Subject: Re: Pacman Frog
Date: Thu, 28 Jan 1999 10:54:44 -0800


>Hi guys My son is getting a Pacman Frog any one have any Pic of this thing??
>
>He says They get big and eat Mice? And they bury themselves under ground??
>Can ya post a pic of this if ya have it??
>Thanks Jodie
>By His Grace
>Jodie & Shane


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Info and pic found from the site listed below...
Hope it helps...

http://web.islandnet.com/~creature/creatures.html

Care sheet for Ornate Horned Frog (Pac-man Frog)

These frogs have an exceptionally fast growth rate ?they metamorphosize
into their adult frog form within two weeks of hatching. They can weigh up
to one pound.

Ornatas are usually diurnal frogs (some may be crepuscular). Like all frogs,
they sleep with their eyes open. Frogs are not animals that can be handled.
Their skin is very sensitive, acting as a supplemental breathing organ. The
oils found naturally on human hands can, in fact, be harmful to frog skin.

Ornatas are not particularly discriminating about what they attempt to eat ?your fingers, birds, elephants, etc. A Pac-man may take a liking to your
finger(s), hand or arm. A natural human reaction upon being grabbed by an
animal is to pull quickly away. If a Pac-man happens to be attached to your
thumb, it is too easy to send it flying across the room. As frogs aren???
meant to fly, this is not usually good for the frog. If you do get nabbed,
stop your jerking reaction. The ornata have no teeth to speak of, and will
spit out unappetizing food items, such as your thumb.


Life span
About six years.


Housing
One frog per 10 gallon tank. If you keep more than one together, chances are
you???l end up with one really big, happy frog. In the wild, Pac-man Frogs
bury themselves in leaf litter. We have to provide them with something they
can hide under when in captivity.

Keep them warm. Ornatas are tropical animals and need a warm environment.


Incubation
Females deposit 1,000 to 2,000 eggs in standing water. It takes only two
weeks at optimal temperature to go from egg to tadpole to froglet.


Food
Crickets dusted with vitamin powder. Try feeding the frog baby pink mice as
it grows.


Estivation
Periodically during the year, your frogs may go into a period of partial
hibernation. They will neither eat nor drink during this period. They will
not stay in their water bowl but instead, bury themselves as much as
possible beneath the foliage and substrate. Instead of shedding their skin,
they retain it. It will harden up, giving your frog the appearance of being
encased in plastic. Between this protective skin layer and the frog will be
a thin layer of moisture. Your frog will actually be taking in oxygen
through his skin rather than breathing through its plugged nostrils.

Do not disturb your frog when it is in this state. Estivation is done when
the temperature becomes too hot or too cold for the animal??? comfort. It
also happens for reasons we don??? know about in the case of ornatas. Just
keep the frog covered with plant materials, keep fresh water in its bowl,
and, as long as it is not losing any body mass, be patient.

Eventually, when the ornata feels it is time, it will begin softening and
shedding its protective covering, hop into its water, and be ready for a
meal.


Cleaning
Be sure to rinse out the tank and furnishings completely before replacing
the amphibians. Do not use disinfectants or cleaners which may be toxic or
are known to be toxic to other animals.


Medical
When the need for a topical antiseptic arises, use Bactine(R), a liquid
antiseptic for humans.

frog_pac.jpg