Most of the time, these food sources are lacking in nutritional value. In short, captive Pacman Frogs only have access to what’s available in pet stores and what you’re able to cultivate on your own. In captivity, however, your frog’s options are very limited. This large assortment of food keeps them healthy. Wild Pacman Frogs have access to a variety of healthy insects like spiders, worms, crickets, flies, butterflies, small fish, and so on. Pacman Frogs Need Calcium Supplements with Vitamin D3 While it’s technically not a requirement, providing UVB within the range of Ferguson zone 1 will likely benefit the health of your non-albino Pacman Frog.Ībout to get a Pacman Frog? Check out my step-by-step guide on setting up a Pacman Frog tank!Īlright, now that you know how to set up UVB lighting for your frog, I’ll explain why it’s not a requirement. Recap: Evidence suggests that amphibians benefit from UVB. It’s okay to use the Zoo Med PDF or the table above to find the right bulb and distance for your setup! That’s what I do. In addition to this, you can buy a UV Index Meter ( click here to see on Amazon) to measure the UVI levels within the enclosure. Zoo Med has a helpful PDF that shows the distances of 12 of their bulbs, ranging from 5.0 to 10.0 UVB. These distances are rated for bulbs that are not being used with a reflector! Reflectors intensify the UVI. UVB Bulbįollow the links to view each product on Amazon. Here are some popular bulbs and the distances you should place them in order to obtain the recommended 0.0 – 0.7 UVI for Ferguson zone 1 species. By the time the UV reaches your frog, the UVI should be within the correct range of 0.0 – 0.7. In order to obtain this range in UVI, you have to select a specific UVB bulb and place it the correct distance away from your frog. We learned earlier that the average UVI for Ferguson zone #1 is between 0.0 – 0.7 UVI. However, because Pacman Frogs can benefit from UVB lighting when done properly, I’m going to show you how. You may remember the opening paragraphs of this page where I explained that UVB isn’t a requirement. UVB bulbs (and placement) for Pacman Frogs in Captivity So, if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering how to achieve the optimal lighting for a reptile or amphibian in Ferguson zone #1. A picture of my Pacman Frog burrowed into the substrate. Hence the reason they fall into Ferguson zone 1. Pacman Frogs spend most of their lives shielded from nearly all UV light. They burrow into the substrate and wait for prey to walk by. On top of that, they’re usually buried up to their eyes in soil, moss, or leaf litter. The sunlight that does manage to reach them is first scattered through a thick jungle canopy. Pacman Frogs spend the majority of their time burrowed into the substrate and under leaf litter in tropical and subtropical broadleaf forests. They’re the types that come out at night or spend most of their time hidden away from sunlight. Click here for the PDF.įerguson zone 1 is comprised of crepuscular or shade dwelling species. The Journal of Zoo and Aquarium Research published an incredibly helpful guide on lighting for reptiles and amphibians in captivity. The zones are listed below with their respective UVI ranges. The findings were based on the UV exposure of reptiles in the wild. Professor Gary Ferguson and a team of herpetologists from Texas Christian University studied many species of reptiles and found that all of them could be categorized into one of the “zones” or microhabitats. There are 4 Ferguson zones and all reptile and amphibians fall into one of the four zones. A Ferguson zone is a range of UV Indexes. But don’t use UVB lights if you have an albino Pacman Frog! Ferguson Zonesĭetermining the optimal UVB setup for a Pacman Frog begins with knowing its “Ferguson zone”. The correct UVB bulb and distance from the frog are important in achieving the optimal levels. What does it all mean? In short, the correct levels of UVI (UV Index) can benefit amphibians. There are many studies showing how species with albinism are at greater risk of danger from UV light. While I was unable to find a credible source, it’s not too far-fetched. Regardless of this study, most experts tend to agree that the proper levels of UVB are beneficial to amphibians.įinally, it’s worth mentioning that I’ve read claims of UVB being harmful to albino Pacman Frogs. This study is mostly geared towards increased UVB levels and tadpoles. It’s also important to note that some research suggests increased UVB is to blame for the recent decline in amphibian populations around the world. You don’t want to overdo it! There is a method to providing an acceptable amount of UVB, however. This doesn’t mean you should rush out and purchase a high-powered UVB bulb for your precious Pacman Frog. There is strong evidence that suggests amphibians benefit from UVB, much like reptiles.
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