Pacman frogs go through a type of hibernation, known as estivation. It’s not uncommon for amphibian owners to be concerned about their pet, wondering if it’s dying or hibernating.
If your Pacman frog is over a year old and is hiding for extended periods, it is possible that it is hibernating.
Here are some things every Pacman owner needs to know about hibernation.
What is Hibernation in Pacman Frogs?
Frogs are very versatile, even with their fragile appearance. Amphibians have a number of strategies that help them deal with different climates. Hibernation / estivation is the most common response when it comes to cold weather.
Pacman frogs make their own living spaces, called a hibernaculum, which is a protective layer. It covers themselves to protect them during the colder months, while their metabolism slows and they can sleep the winter away.
Spring arrives, the weather warms and the frog wakes up, leaves the hard-outer cocoon covering, and carries on with breeding and feeding.
Why Does My Pacman Frog Hibernate?
Hibernation is not necessary in captivity as your frog shouldn’t have to deal with cold winter temperatures in their terrarium. Any Pacman frogs under a year of age should not be allowed to hibernate.
Your Pacman frog may be hibernating due to temperatures being too low or the humidity being too low.
Remember these frogs love high humidity and temperature levels. Maintaining these levels at optimum can reduce the risk of your frog going into estivation while in captivity.
Related –Ways to maintain high humidity levels in a Pacman frog terrarium.
Signs of Hibernation
There are some signs you can watch out for that will tell you your Pacman frog may be going into hibernation.
This may be a sign that you need to moisten your substrate, increase humidity and/or temperature levels to make your frog comfortable and reduce the risk of it hibernating.
Signs of hibernation include:
- Deep burrowing
- Sleeping for extended periods
- Dry shell-like skin
- No appetite
How Long Will My Pacman Frog Hibernate?
Your Pacman frog will continue hibernating until the temperatures are at optimal.
In the wild, your frog will hibernate throughout the winter months, coming out in the warmer springtime.
In captivity, you can increase temperature and humidity levels to encourage your frog to come out of hibernation.
Related –Ways to set up heating system in a Pacman frog enclosure.
Ensure you check your humidity and temperature levels regularly and keep them at optimum, along with the moist substrate to reduce the risk of your frog estivating.
hi there, I don’t know if you will see my comment, but I have a Pacman frog who is an older female. I left for a couple days, not long enough for her to get hungry, and I think it may have gotten a bit dry in the tank. She has a pool that I have seen her go in so I know if she needs to get wetter she can. Today she moved out of her spot where she had her head out and buried fully into the substrate, so I gave her a bath but she has gone back under again. I tried feeding her today and she should be hungry but she didn’t eat. Is she going to hybernate? Is that bad? What can I do to help?
Hi. Not eating a few days is not bad. A Pacman frog can last without eating for a few weeks. As long as your frog does not lose weight, your frog’s gonna ok. Make sure the temperature/humidity in the tank is optimum. Then you can leave some food in the tank for a few hours each day and see if she likes to eat or not.
Hello,
My pacman just came out of hibernation. He stopped eating and burrowed for almost a month recently. Today I just seen his head sticking out of the substrate. When will he be hungry? I only tried once but he was not interested in food yet. I also mist my enclosure a few times a day although I still don’t have high enough humidity. Are there any tips/tricks for a higher humidity level? I worry now that’s why he went into hibernation to begin with.
My Pac-Man frog has just come out of hibernation today too after a very cold spell we had here in Britain. We’ve been worried sick but kept up with the water bowl change daily and the misting of the tank. Then today after 1 month and 7 days he emerged. He came out and shed his she’ll like skin and I fed him 4 small locusts as I want to ease him back into eating. He has been sat soaking in he’s water bowl for a few hours now and as really plumped up. I found the best way to keep his humidity up was to have a low 25 watt basking lamp up high above his tank and spray regularly. This is what we did to get him out of hibernation and it added the extra heat he needed too. This was recommended by our local pet store and it worked. I can’t believe How healthy and happy he looks after not eating for over a month I really thought he was going to be a little bag of bones. I make sure though that he always has a cool side in his tank incase he gets too warm and a thermostat. A fogger is also a good way to up humidity. I’m not an expert I’m still learning myself as he’s only 18 months old. but we missed him so much that I’m going to make sure he never hibernates again. Also I read some frogs won’t eat for a little while after hibernation so maybe that could be why.Good luck
Hello i have some questions do pacman toads have to hibernate? is hibernation once in a lifetime? and every mating season does it have to be hibernated first?
Thank You