Editing Pacman Frog Care Guide (section)

==='''<big>Pacman Frog (Genus: ''Ceratophrys'')</big>'''===
{{Animal infobox
|name=Pacman Frog
|image=[[File:Argentine Horned Frog (Ceratophrys ornata)1.JPG|center|400px]]
|aka= ''
Horned Frog
|scientificName= Genus ''Ceratophrys''
|geoDist=South America
|discovered=1824 (''Wied-Neuwied'')
|size=4-7 inches (10-18 cm)
|behavior=''
*[[Fossorial]]
*[[Nocturnal]]
|careLevel=Moderate
|minEnclosure=30"x12"x12" (75x30x30cm)
|substrate=''
Coco coir
|temperature=''
80-85°F (24-29°C)
|humidity=70-85%
|food=''
*Crickets
*Dubia roaches
*Silversides
*Occasional pinkie mice (optional)
|supplements=''
*Calcium with D3 
*Multivitamin
}}
====Description====
The Pacman Frog, also known as the Horned Frog, is known for its round shape and large mouth, which resembles the iconic video game character "Pac-Man". Native to South America, individuals of this genus are known for their distinct appearance and voracious appetites. In nature Pacman Frogs are often found buried in [[leaf litter]] and soil, where they lie in wait for rainfall and passing prey.<ref>Duellman, W. E., & Lizana, M. (1994). Biology of a Sit-and-Wait Predator, the Leptodactylid Frog Ceratophrys cornuta. ''Herpetologica'', ''50''(1), 51–64. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3892875</ref>

====Appearance====
Pacman Frogs average 4-7 inches (10-18 cm) in length as adults, making them one of the largest species of frogs commonly kept in captivity.<ref>Willard, Joshua 2011. Pac Man Frog Care Sheet. Reptiles Magazine.https://reptilesmagazine.com/pac-man-frog-care-sheet/</ref> Most species are available in a variety of colors, including green, yellow, brown, and red - each with unique markings. They are distinguished by the size of their mouth, which is very large in proportion to their body.  

====Behavior ====
Pacman Frogs are '''[[nocturnal]]''' and '''[[fossorial]].'''<ref>Julián Faivovich, Laura Nicoli, Boris L. Blotto, Martín O. Pereyra, Diego Baldo, J. Sebastián Barrionuevo, Marissa Fabrezi, Erik R. Wild, Célio F.B. Haddad "[https://bioone.org/journals/south-american-journal-of-herpetology/volume-9/issue-3/SAJH-D-14-00032.1/Big-Bad-and-Beautiful--Phylogenetic-Relationships-of-the-Horned/10.2994/SAJH-D-14-00032.1.short Big, Bad, and Beautiful: Phylogenetic Relationships of the Horned Frogs (Anura: Ceratophryidae)]," South American Journal of Herpetology, 9(3), 207-227, (1 December 2014) </ref> They are mostly sedentary and may remain motionless for extended periods while they wait for rainfall or to ambush prey.<ref>Duellman, W. E., & Lizana, M. (1994). Biology of a Sit-and-Wait Predator, the Leptodactylid Frog Ceratophrys cornuta. ''Herpetologica'', ''50''(1), 51–64. [https://www.jstor.org/stable/3892875 http://www.jstor.org/stable/3892875]</ref> They are not strong swimmers, climbers, or jumpers, and prefer to remain almost entirely buried, with only their eyes and a portion of their head above the soil. 

Pacman Frogs should be housed '''individually''' to prevent stress, aggression, or predation of tank mates. ''They may attempt to consume any animal that can fit in their mouth'' - and even some that cannot. In nature they are known to be '''[[cannibalistic]]''', and will consume individuals of their species as well as other species of frogs.  

While above ground, Pacman frogs will spend time soaking in their water bowl where they will both defecate and absorb water through specialized patches of skin on their body.

Wild Pacmans may brumate when seasonal temperatures and humidity drop below their preferred ranges. During brumation the frog will cease its regular shedding, and retain several layers of skin in order to encase itself and retain moisture. Frogs in this state will burrow deep into the substrate, and stop eating or drinking until moisture and warmth return to their environment.<ref>Wissman, Margaret A. 2011. Pacman Frog Not Eating. ''Reptiles Magazine''. https://reptilesmagazine.com/pacman-frog-not-eating/</ref>   

Pacman frogs, especially froglets and juveniles, shed their outer layer of skin frequently and regularly - and often consume their "molt". When shedding, the frog will compress its body into a crouching position and expand while swatting its face or body to loosen the layer of old skin. It may appear to be yawning, coughing, or choking while attempting to remove and consume molted skin.

==== Sexing ====
It can be challenging or impossible to identify the sex of young or juvenile Pacman Frogs. Males are generally smaller than females when fully grown and develop darker throats, as well as nuptial pads near the first digits of their front legs. Adult females may be more than twice as large as adult males and are capable of laying hundreds, if not thousands of eggs while mating. [[Vocalization]] is another key indicator, as males will emit a loud, consistent croaking sound, especially when seeking a mate - though females may vocalize briefly when startled or agitated too. [[File:PacmanNuptialPads.jpg|thumb|Brown nuptial pads on a male Pacman Frog.|alt=|none]]
==== Species====
There are eight species of Horned Frogs and three hybrids <ref>Frost, Darrel R. 2024. Amphibian Species of the World: an Online Reference. Version 6.2 (''Accessed'' ''April 18, 2024''). Electronic Database accessible at https://amphibiansoftheworld.amnh.org/Amphibia/Anura/Ceratophryidae/Ceratophrys. American Museum of Natural History, New York, USA. [https://Doi.org/10.5531/db.vz.0001 doi.org/10.5531/db.vz.0001]</ref>, including: 

*''[[Ceratophrys aurita]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys calcarata]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys cornuta]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys cranwelli]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys joazeirensis]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys ornata]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys stolzmanni]]''
*''[[Ceratophrys testudo]]''
Hybrids:

* ''[[Fantasy Pacman Frog|Ceratophrys "Fantasy"]]'' (''cranwelli x cornuta'')
* ''Ceratophrys "Green Apple" (cranwelli x joazeirensis)''
* ''Ceratophrys "Orwell" (cranwelli x ornata)''