Pacman Frog Lifespan: How Long Do They Live?

Every time you get yourself a pet, the very first question that comes to your mind is “How Long is it going to be with me?” Because getting a pet is a big commitment. You never want to get emotionally attached to something that will be gone soon before you can even get something out of that attachment.

It’s the same in the case of getting a new pet frog. Since frogs have a longer lifespan, they can be a great companion to get you out of solitude. And when we are talking about pet frogs, the Pacman frog is a go-to option.

Pacman frogs have an average Lifespan of 5-7 years. But it differs on whether the frog is in the wild or captivity. Also, there are a lot of factors that come into play determining the lifespan of your Pacman Frog.

Read the article below to know more about the lifespan of Pacman frogs and the factors affecting their lifespan.

Lifespan Of Different Type Of Pacman Frogs

Pacman frogs come with a wide range of options. There are more than 25 sub-type of Pacman frogs. The interesting fact is that they do not only differ in morphs, their lifespans also differ. Here’s a list of different type of Pacman frogs with their lifespan:

Pacman Frog Type	Average Lifespan
Green Pacman Frog	5 years
Chocolate Fantasy Pacman Frog	10 years
Peppermint Pacman Frog	5 years
Sunburst Pacman Frog	5 years
High Red Ornate Pacman Frog	5 years
Tricolor Fantasy Pacman Frog	10 years
Apricot Pacman Frog	5 years
Albino Pacman Frog	5 years
Chocolate Pacman Frog	5 years
Strawberry Pacman Frog	5 years
Ornita Pacman Frog	5 years

The Life Cycle Of Pacman Frogs

Pacman frogs have a decent growth rate. They can go from egg to adulthood within the period of a year if put in the right care and conditions. Reptiles start their lives as tiny eggs and cross many stages to reach adulthood. Like other reptiles, the Pacman frog’s life stages include:

Egg
Tadpole
Froglet
Juvenile
Adult

Egg Stage

Mature female frogs lay eggs directly around water bodies. These eggs are protected by a layer of jelly-like substances.

Pacman frog’s egg cluster contains roughly around 800-1000 eggs, the number can be extended up to 3000.

The eggs take a couple of days to hatch. The whole process can take about 7-8 days, during which they develop eyes and other parts of the mouth.

Tadpole

This is the second stage of the Pacman frog’s life cycle.

Around day 10, the Pacman tadpoles will consume the layer of jelly around the eggs and come out as tadpoles.

They will develop a set of temporary gills that will help them to breathe in underwater conditions. But tadpoles cannot breathe in the air. Around 8-10 days, tadpoles are most likely to develop their posterior limbs.

You should supply your tadpoles with necessary food constantly because a lot of their physiological and anatomical developments take place at this stage. So malnutrition in this stage will lead to poor health development, which will eventually decrease the lifespan of your frogs. Their gills will gradually disappear later in this stage.

The development of the front legs will begin 10-12 days after the development of the posterior limbs. They will slowly absorb their tails and utilize the nutrients for growth. Sometimes they may stop eating which is a common occurrence.

Froglet

The third stage which begins after the 3rd week of development is called the Froglet stage. It starts right after the Tadpole phase. In this stage, they start to show more characteristics of an adult Pacman frog.

The Froglet stage lasts for about 3-4 months.

They become more terrestrial as they roam around drier places more frequently. They start to consume feeder insects like crickets, roaches, etc.

Juvenile Pacman Frogs

During this phase of their life-cycle, they look more like tiny adult Pacman frogs. Because they possess all the characteristics of an adult Pacman frog. They will look more aggressive during this time and should be kept separately.

They start bullying smaller tank mates and eat like machines during this phase.

Juvenile Pacman frogs become 1-1.5 inches long.

Adulthood

Pacman frogs become adults after the completion of Juvenile life. It entirely depends on the temperature and diet. Adult male Pacman frogs are smaller and live a shorter life while the females are larger and live a longer lifespan.

Male Pacman frogs are 3-4 inches in length whereas the female ones are 5-7 inches.

They eat pretty much everything after reaching adulthood.

How Long Does A Pacman Frog Live In Captivity?

Pacman frogs have a lifespan of almost 12-15 years in captivity. So if you can provide them with the proper environment and diet, they are most likely to make it for a decade or more.

Now you might be wondering how two frogs from the same species can have two different lifespans. Frogs that are kept in an enclosure can be provided with an optimum environment and a proper diet. Besides, they stay away from other stressful elements and live a sound life in captivity.

To ensure your Pacman frog’s maximum lifespan, you must ensure the right housing and diet. Here’s a list of things that you need to do in the right order:

Size of the terrarium
Optimum Temperature
Humidity
Lighting
Diet

How Much Space Does A Pacman Frog Need?

Caging size is one the most important factors to ensure the proper growth and proper health of your Pacman frog. If it isn’t selected properly, your frog might get stressed out and thus its lifespan will be decreased.

The size of the terrarium should be determined on the basis of the size of your toad.

An adult Pacman frog will need a maximum of 10-20 gallons terrarium to roam comfortably.

Since Pacman frogs are terrestrial, they require wider spaces. So, focus more on the width than the height. Choose a durable enclosure that is easy to clean and holds heat well. There should be enough holes for ventilation.

Pacman Frog Humidity Requirement

Pacman frog prefers humid and moist environments.

The humidity level should be at least 60-80%, to keep the frogs hydrated.

You should keep a vigilant eye on whether the Pacman frog is developing dry skin. You can mist the captivity once in a while but don’t overdo it as it may lead to mold growth. Use coconut fibers as a substrate to hold the humidity level high. Besides, these substrates are mold-resistant and cheap.

I think Zoo Med Eco Earth Coconut Fiber is the best choice for keeping Pacman frogs. They are the industry popular choice for keeping tropical animals in captivity. I love this coconut fiber because it absorbs and break downs the waste products, as a result the enclosure doesn’t smell horrible.

Pacman Frog Temperature Requirement

Temperature plays an important role in the regulation of digestion and metabolism. The temperature should be kept between the range of 75-85F for optimum growth and development. You can follow a simple schedule and keep the temperature at 80F constantly. Tadpoles should be kept at a slightly cooler temperature, around 78-82F.

Lighting

Pacman frog lighting also helps in the regulation of temperature. You don’t have to necessarily put UVB lighting but it helps in calcium absorption. Under tank heaters provide enough heat for them, so you wouldn’t need any special lighting. You can use a 13w natural daylight bulb but make sure to turn it off during nighttime.

If you are looking for a Pacman frog starter kit, then I’ll highly recommend the Zilla Terrarium Starter Kit. With this terrarium kit, you’ll get almost everything you need to keep your Pacman frogs healthy and live longer.

This kit comes with a 10 gallon glass enclosure, blue daytime bulb, heated mat, humidity & temperature gauge as well as a setup guide. To me, this is the perfect deal for any beginner who doesn’t want to buy every item separately.

Pacman Frog Diet

Diet is one of the most vital factors determining the lifespan of your Pacman frog. You should provide a balanced diet and maintain a routine. Overfeeding can also lead to extreme health hazards.

Here’s a list of foods that you can feed your Pacman frog:

Black Soldier fly Larvae
Hornworms
Superworms
Crickets
Mice
Silkworms
Orange heads
Discoid
Red Runners
Dubia Roaches

These foods will ensure a proper diet for your adult Pacman frogs. Tadpoles should be fed bloodworms, minnows, tadpole bites, and black worms.

You should avoid feeding Pacman frogs the following foods:

Waxworms- High Lipid contents
Mealworms- Can lead to digestive problems
Butterworms
Scorpions
Giant mealworms- contain unnatural hormones.

Important things to keep in mind before feeding your Pacman frogs:

Froglets should be provided with a meal every day.
Adult Pacman frogs should eat once every 4-6 days.
The insects shouldn’t be bigger than the size of your frog.

Do Pacman Frogs Die Easily?

Pacman frogs do not die easily, only if they are kept in a proper environment. But there are some diseases that can be lethal.

Every frog owner wants his frogs to be healthy and live a longer life. But some diseases hinder the lifespan of your frog. Here’s a list of common diseases that your frog can catch:

Metabolic Bone Disease.
Obesity.
Impaction.
Bacterial Infection.
Toxic out syndrome.

These diseases should be treated as soon as you diagnose them. Do not touch or handle your Pacman frog if not necessary. Pacman frogs are too sensitive to touches. Frequent handling can lead to many problems. Never use soap, lotions, or oils before touching them. Always keep the environment clean.

Conclusion

We all want our pets to live longer life. Pacman frog is an amazing pet to keep for the long term. But nothing comes effortlessly. It requires enough care and attention to live a healthy and sound life.

So take care of your frogs right from the beginning, every stage of their life has an impact on their lifespan. Make sure you provide an optimum temperature, humidity, lighting, and diet. Keep them away from diseases. And grow old with them.

Pacman Frog Lifespan: How Long Do They Live?

Lifespan Of Different Type Of Pacman Frogs