Classification
Order: anura
Family: ceratophryidae
Subfamily: ceratophryinae
Genus: ceratophrys
Species: ceratophrys ornate
Habitat
These frogs are native to Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil. They prefer rainforests and grasslands.
It is one of the most popular pet frog species in North America.
Outward appearance
Adult female frogs reach the length of 16 – 18 cm, males are around 11-2 cm long.
They have a large mouth (about half the size of the frog). Normally they are bright green with with red spots, but dark green, blackish and albino white specimens occur too.
Character
It is a diurnal species.
Handling your frog should be avoided if at all possible. Horned frogs do not appreciate being handled and may become stressed or aggressive at the prospect. All amphibians have delicate, absorbent skin and the oils and salts on our skin can cause them harm. If handling your frog is unavoidable, wearing latex gloves or washing your hands beforehand is advised. Horned Frogs can give a nasty bite, so be extra careful when placing your hands and fingers near your frog’s mouth during handling.
When their substrate dries out and food is scarce, the Pac-Man won't move and they look like they are dead. Once rehydrated, however, they will shed this outer skin (and eat it!).
Maintenance care
Argentine horned frogs need a horizontal tank at least 45x30x30 cm in size. You should equip the tank with local daytime heater (a heating cord, a heating pad, a reflector). The temperature at the basking spot should be 30-32 degrees. The ideal ambient temperature has to be around 25 degrees at daytime and 22-24 degrees at night. These frogs should be kept alone, in order to avoid cannibalism.
These frogs love burrowing, therefore they require substrate that they can dig. Coconut husks are the best option. The substrate should be damp but not soaking wet.
Live plants, such as pothos, make good shelters and help to maintain air humidity.
Feeding
In the wild these frogs eat anything that fits into their mouths. Argentine horned frogs hunt insects, small birds and mammals, lizards and other frogs.
In captivity Argentine horned frogs are fed with crickets, cockroaches, mealworms, superworms, pinky mice, frogs, baby quails. 2-3 times a week you should dust the food with calcium and vitamin powder.
Diseases
Under proper care these frogs can live up to 10 years.
Breeding
To stimulate your Horned Frogs to breed they will require a cooling period of two months beforehand. Reduce the temperatures and humidity and this should encourage your Horned Frogs to go into hibernation. They should not be fed during this time. After that you will need to simulate a rainy season, by misting the terrarium a lot more frequently. Rain should be ceased once the frogs have bred and plants should be added so your female has something to attach the eggs to.
Horned Frogs can spawn between 1,000 and 2,000 eggs, which should be separated from the adults to avoid your frogs eating them. Eggs should hatch within 2 to 4 days. Tadpoles are cannibalistic, so it is advisable to separate them if possible. Feed them on black worms, tubifex or finely chopped earthworms daily.
