Pacman frogs have become one of the most popular amphibian pets on the market today with children and adults alike.
What makes these frogs so special is their large size, their wide mouths, their small habitat requirements, and the choice of amazing morphs available on the market.
Pacman Frog Species
Pacman frogs are frogs that belong to Ceratophrys genus. There are eight different Pacman frog species
- Ceratophrys aurita
- Ceratophrys calcarata
- Ceratophrys cornuta
- Ceratophrys cranwelli
- Ceratophrys joazeirensis
- Ceratophrys ornata
- Ceratophrys stolzmanni
- Ceratophrys testudo
All species originates from different places in South America.
They are slightly different in appearance. A good example is the Ceratophrys cornuta. They have horn-like projections above their eyes which are unique from other Pacman frog species.
Ceratophrys cornuta
Note that in captivity, there is a new Pacman frog species called fantasy Pacman frog. The fantasy Pacman frog is a mix between a Ceratophrys cornuta and Ceratophrys cranwelli.
The most common Pacman frog species in the pet industry today are the Ceratophrys cranwelli and Ceratophrys ornata.
| Species | Common Name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Ceratophrys aurita | Brazilian horned frog | Brazil |
| Ceratophrys calcarata | Colombian horned frog | Colombia and Venezuela |
| Ceratophrys cornuta | Surinam horned frog | Northern part of South America |
| Ceratophrys cranwelli | Cranwell’s horned frog | Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay and Brazil |
| Ceratophrys joazeirensis | Joazeiro horned frog | Brazil |
| Ceratophrys ornata | Argentine horned frog | Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil |
| Ceratophrys stolzmanni | Stolzmann’s horned frog | Ecuador and Peru |
| Ceratophrys testudo | Ecuador horned frog | Ecuador |
Pacman Frog Morph Terminology
When buying your Pacman frog, the breeder may use some terminology you aren’t sure of.
In order to make the best selection, having a good understanding of Pacman frog morph terminology can be useful. The most common terms you may come across includes:
- Phase – A phase is temporary. When it comes to Pacman frog morphs, their color is permanent. Some morphs may become more vibrant in color with age.
- Pattern – The pattern is the distinct markings on the back and head of the Pacman frog. These are usually very noticeable and come in a darker color to the frog.
- Color – Color is the coloration of the frog from the base color to any additional color combinations. Many morphs will have up to three or four colors.
- Dominant – Dominant is used when one gene variant dominates / overrides a different variant. Basically, it’s when a gene is passed down to the frog from one of the parents, this is dominant.
- Recessive – Baby Pacman frogs will have copies of certain genes from both of their parents, though they may not be expressed. This is called recessive.
- Het – Het or Heterozygous is when a frog inherits a trait from the parent that isn’t displayed. This is seen when a Pacman is born to an albino parent, but looks completely normal, even though it has the strain from the parent.
Pacman Frog Morphs
1. Albino
Albino Pacman frogs are yellow in color with a light, cream to white belly and orange spots. The intensity of the color and the number of spots on the frog varies from one breeder to the next.
2. Albino Patternless
As the name suggests, the albino patternless Pacman is an albino but without any patterns. It has a solid yellow body with some subtle orange here and there.
3. 4-Spot Patternless Albino
The 4-spot patternless albino Pacman frog is an albino patternless with four spots.
This frog is usually a solid pink or yellow coloration with a cream white belly. They have orange to dark pink spots.
The intensity of the spots color, along with how many spots the frog has varies from one breeder to the next.
4. Strawberry
The strawberry Pacman is an interesting morph that comes in a variety of orange and red shades.
It has a light colored cream to white belly with an orange to red spot pattern.
The color intensity and the number of spots varies between breeders.
5. Strawberry Pineapple
The strawberry pineapple is a mixture of yellow, orange, and red with orange to red colored spots.
The belly is a light color of cream to white.
The brightness of the colors and the number of spots is determined by the breeder.
6. Apricot
The apricot Pacman frog comes in a variety of red, orange, and yellow shades with orange to red spots.
It has a creamy, white belly with the color intensity varying from one apricot morph to the next.
7. Sunburst
Sunburst Pacman frogs look similar to a yellow albino morph, except it has strawberry colored highlights.
Each breeder has their own males and females they use to mate, which means that the intensity of the color can vary.
8. Dragon Wing
Dragon wings are about the pattern.
These Pacman frogs are usually a mix of reds, greens, and browns with a distinct wing pattern on the back which is a dot with a wing on either side.
9. 3-Striped
The 3-striped Pacman frog has a very distinct pattern, but they are not three parallel lines as you may expect.
The frog’s pattern is three lines with a thick middle line and a wavy line on either side.
These morphs offer a mixture of oranges, mint greens, blacks, and tans.
10. High Red Ornate
The high red Ornate is actually green in color with some brown spots and large amounts of red/brown colors.
The belly is a creamy white and the color intensity varies depending on where you purchase your new Pacman frog morph.
11. Leopard
As the name suggests, the leopard morph has leopard spots on its sides.
It offers bright and vibrant colors of oranges, yellows, greens, and dark browns.
The leopard spots are obvious and easily identified.
12. Mosaic
The mosaic morph is a body of green and yellow with tans and dark brown patterns which complete a unique mosaic pattern. How bright and vivid the colors are may vary.
13. Green
Green Pacman frogs are green or tea in color with some brown spots, though the number of spots and how vivid the frog’s coloration is, is determined by the breeders mating Pacman frogs.
The belly remains a creamy white.
14. Mint Green
The mint green Pacman is a beautiful mixture of varying shades of green with light brown and tan patterns.
How vibrant the colors are depending on where you buy your new amphibian pet.
15. Green Fantasy
Fantasy Pacman frogs are a mix of the Cranwell’s Pacman frog and The Surinam Horned Frog.
These are sterile amphibians and cannot be bred.
The Green Fantasy takes color intensity to a whole new level. These beautiful frogs are bright green and dark green with some dark brown and gray coloration.
16. 4-Spot Patternless Green
The 4-spot patternless green Pacman frog is green or teal in color with dark green to brown spots.
The belly remains a light cream to white color.
These are visually appealing morphs.
17. Brown
The brown Pacman is as the name suggests.
These are brown bodied frogs, with colors varying from tan to brown.
They do have some splashes of color on their back and face which is dark brown or black.
Their belly is a light cream to white.
18. Brown Fantasy
The brown Fantasy is similar to the brown Pacman, except that it comprises of a mixture of browns with distinct patterns. The colors are more vibrant.
19. Tricolor
The tricolor is a tricolor phase fantasy Pacman that is mostly green with some red and brown coloration.
They have dark brown markings on their backs that look like butterfly wings.
Their belly is white to cream in color.
20. Blue
The blue Pacman frog is more teal in color with striking tan patterns making it a beautiful frog for your Pacman frog collection.
Suitable whether you are a beginner or an experienced amphibian owner.
21. Samurai
The Samurai is light blue to teal in color with distinct patterns on its face and back. The colors of this morph tend to get more vibrant as the frog ages.