Both Pacman and also pixie frogs share the same physical characteristics of a big, substantial body, small arm or legs, and a very enormous mouth. The Pacman frog is typical while Pixie frogs are usually a dull, olive green. Both tend to have a yellow belly.
In this comparison article “Pacman Frog Vs. Pixie Frog,” you will learn:
- the natural habitat of each frog
- the lifespan
- their eating habits
- their origin
- physical characteristics
- coloration
- the types of substrates needed
Complication plays a constant duty in your option of frogs to maintain in the enclosure when you are a new frog proprietor.
Because there are various ranges of frogs with various shades, picking one can be a huge issue.
Nonetheless, you need to look at frogs that are not just very easy to maintain however additionally have an all-natural environment that can be really conveniently imitated in your unit.
In this way, you can keep the frogs healthy, as well as for an extended period of time.
If you are trying to find frogs that can be extremely easily maintained, 2 varieties of frogs come to mind; the Pacman Frog as well as the Pixie Frog.
Both of these have a lot of similarities in their qualities as well as their maintenance.
The Natural Habitat
The Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog prefer damp forests as well as fresh shallow water to thrive in their natural surroundings.
Lifespan
Generally, the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog live around 7 to 10 years, but the Pixie frog has been known to outlive the Pacman frog by at least 3 to 4 years on an average.
Eating Habits
Both the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog are not picky with their food and are pretty voracious in their appetite for anything that is presented to them.
They almost always end up eating at least half of their own size in food most of the time.
It is this voracious nature of their diet which makes the owners caring for it to frequently get feed for them.
The feed tends to normally be insects like crickets, coaches, small rodents like mice along with different types of worms like the earthworm, mealworm, and waxworm.
These are all delicacies savored by the two species and readily available in the market so they do not cause a hole in your pocket.
Origin
While the Pacman frog is native to South America, the Pixie frogs are known to originate from Africa.
This is the reason why the Pixie frogs are also sometimes called the African bullfrogs.
Naming
The Pacman frogs are so named because they have a pretty big mouth and a big body, resembling a very popular videogame character called Pacman.
The Pixie frogs are named after their scientific name, and it forms a larger portion of the bullfrogs in Africa.
However, recent studies have shown that there are miniature versions of these frogs as well.
Physical Characteristics
Both the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog have small limbs, and a very large mouth coupled with a pretty large body.
Although there are miniature versions of both the frogs, chances are that one would encounter the original large frog when purchasing from a reputed store.
Coloration
The Pacman frogs have a color palette range from Brown to green with anything in between forming the primary base color.
In most situations, the base coloration would be inundated with brown or yellow blotches in the skin.
The Pixie frogs on the other hand tend to be of a neutral green color resembling an olive.
However, the primary similarity between the two species is a yellow belly.
Habitat
In order to keep a Pacman frog in a comfortable place, a 10-gallon tank should be more than enough.
However, due to the larger size of the Pixie frog and its continuous growth rate over time, keeping it in a 20-gallon tank should be adequate enough.
In either of these species, having a large enough tank is a necessity, otherwise, that would be a restriction in its movement and that would lead to skin diseases and a lot of other problems.
Type of Substrate
When getting frogs, getting a substrate for the bedding of the tank is necessary. One of the most common substrates is extracted from the coconut, which is a very common fruit found in the coastal regions of Hawaii.
The substrate that is used by both the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog is primarily to bury themselves so that they can feel secure in their habitat.
The substrate should be about 4 inches deep so that it can allow for the comfortable burrowing of the frogs without feeling encumbered with the shallowness of the tank.
If there are plants that are used in the enclosure, suitable arrangements for a layer of drainage should be made with gravel the size of small peas for the effective flowing of water.
If proper humidity control arrangements cannot be done at the onset of keeping the frog, then having moss either moistened or life should be able to keep the humidity within the enclosure of the optimum level.
The plants also enable the frogs to feel secure since they have more hiding places within the enclosure itself.
Water Provided
Misting is one method through which water can be introduced in the tank at least twice a day, which would be sufficient for either of the species of frogs that you are planning to keep.
For proper hygiene and efficient water intake by Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog, a water dish should also be introduced in the tank.
Please ensure that the water dish is shallow and wide so that the frog can very easily get inside it.
Lighting And Heating System
Since you have to mimic the habitat of the frog to keep it in its prime condition, even the heating and lighting will need to be regulated. For both the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog, temperatures should be maintained between 72°F to 84°F.
For people that do not have an automated temperature gauge in that tank, a regular checkup of the temperature using a thermometer becomes a necessity.
The heating system is normally installed on the side of the enclosure to provide optimum heating. However, while that is true for reptiles, frogs present a different picture.
Since they like burrowing and are mostly going to live within the substrate itself, the best possible solution for heating should be the use of an under heater tank if there is any need for it.
For lighting solutions, please be aware that frogs not require a lot of ultraviolet rays in order to thrive.
Just a simple light bulb should be more than sufficient enough in order to illuminate the enclosure while ensuring that the frogs and get their daily dose of ultraviolet light.
However, if there are live plants in the enclosure, chances are that one would need a brighter lamp for proper photosynthesis.
Territorial Aggression
Both the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog are pretty territorial and prefer to live alone in an enclosure.
Pacman frogs have been known to be cannibalistic when they are introduced to other species of frogs or even their own kind when kept in a small enclosure of fewer than 10 gallons.
Pixie frogs on the other hand are a bit docile, but they have also been known to be pretty aggressive towards other males that are kept in the same enclosure.
However, if a male and female pixie frog is kept in an enclosure, chances are that they would coexist and live together without any problems.
During mating season, the Pixie frogs would emanate a mating call, and then the introduction of a female frog might actually be the best solution in case breeding is on the cards.
If not, keeping it separate is the best solution. Pixie frogs are known to have a very sharp bite, and would not hesitate to show it in case it is unhappy or not satisfied with the arrangement.
Maintenance
When maintenance is concerned, both the Pacman Frog and the Pixie Frog does not pose a big problem.
They are fairly docile, can be roughly handled, and at the same time, they are not prone to a lot of diseases if kept in a hygienic situation within their habitat.
Frequent changes of water are a necessity, and changing the substrate every couple of weeks should be more than enough in terms of maintenance for either of the frogs mentioned.
Veterinary Checks
In case you notice something odd in your frogs, like the inability to move around freely, frequent runny droppings, a lot of liquid streaming out of their eyes, or even lethargy and unwillingness to eat, consulting a veterinarian is a must.
Chances are that your frog might have caught onto some infection, and if it is not diagnosed properly and proper medication is provided, it could be fatal.
Frogs are small creatures and therefore do not exhibit a lot of discomforts when they are feeling sick.
So, as a pet owner, you would need to be observant of every minuscule detail that goes on within the enclosure and if there is anything that seems out of the ordinary, consulting a veterinarian is a must.
From VivariumTips,
To be fair, either of the Pacman Frog or the Pixie Frog can be a pretty good purchase for you as a first-time frog owner.
Please take into account the costs are seated with either of the frogs, the necessary maintenance work that is to be done, and the feed that is to be provided all into consideration before choosing a frog to be kept in your enclosure.
If you enjoyed this article, you might also love:
Please support VivariumTips by sharing this article with another frog enthusiast out there! 🙂