NOVEL FAUNA

Ceratophrys cornuta · Ceratophryidae

Surinam Horned Frog

The Amazonian horned frog, a round, camouflaged leaf-litter ambush predator with prominent horns above its eyes. Its care is like other Pac-Man frogs, but many in the trade have been wild-caught, so seek captive-bred animals and expect a strong feeding response.

Group
Frogs & toads
Difficulty
Intermediate
Adult size
7–15 cm (about 2.8–5.9 in); females larger
Lifespan
averages about 10 years in captivity; recorded to 15 years

Evidence CExpert consensus or hobby source (lowest grade of its care-critical sections) · Reviewed 2026-10-24 by Novel Fauna · Evidence graded 2026-10-25

Overview

Evidence A

The Surinam (Amazon) horned frog is a fairly large, very round frog with a prominent head. Its most distinctive feature is the horns above its eyes 1. Adults range from 7 to 15 cm, about 2.8 to 5.9 inches 1. Females are larger, while males are more colorful and have nuptial pads on the front toes 1. In captivity these frogs average about 10 years, and a maximum of 15 years has been recorded 1.

A note on our sources. No veterinary care sheet is written for C. cornuta. The husbandry below uses veterinary sheets for the closely related ornate horned frog and for horned (Pac-Man) frogs in general 234, plus natural history from the Animal Diversity Web 1.

Natural history

Evidence C
  • Rests on a single source
  • Only expert, clinic or hobby sources

This species lives in the Amazon Basin of Colombia, Ecuador, the Guianas, Venezuela, Peru, Bolivia and Brazil 1. It inhabits open areas within the forest and lives among leaves on the forest floor 1. It is terrestrial, nocturnal, solitary and territorial 1.

Its coloring ranges from tan or lime to dark green and acts as camouflage, and the horns may add to the disguise 1. It ambushes prey by burying itself with only its face showing. It eats almost anything that fits, including mice, fish, other frogs and even tadpoles of its own species 1.

Enclosure

Evidence A
  • Size. Horned frogs are inactive. A single frog needs at least a 10-gallon terrarium, and larger is better for big females 23. Chicago Exotics notes an adult horned frog can live comfortably in 20 gallons 4.
  • Hides. Provide a hide or two, although these frogs mostly stay buried 3.
  • Ventilation. Good ventilation prevents mold, bacteria and stagnant air 34.
  • Live alone. This species is solitary and territorial 1, and horned frogs will eat each other 4.

Temperature & lighting

Evidence A
LafeberVet, ornate horned frog 2Tree of Life, Pac-Man frogs 3
Day75–82°F gradient75–82°F ambient; warm side 82–85°F
Nightcan drop to 65°F72–75°F

Merck notes that tropical amphibians may need 75–80°F 5. Avoid radiant heat that dries the enclosure 2. Use a low-wattage heat source on a thermostat, mounted on the side of the tank 34. Provide low-intensity full-spectrum lighting on a 12-hour cycle 23.

Humidity

Evidence A

Aim for about 80% relative humidity (LafeberVet) 2, or 60–80% (Tree of Life) 3. Keep the substrate damp but not waterlogged 23. Provide a shallow dish of dechlorinated water for soaking, and change it daily 34. Never use distilled water 45.

Substrate

Evidence C
  • Only expert, clinic or hobby sources
  • Burrowing depth. Use 3–4 inches of a damp, burrowable substrate such as coconut fiber, cypress mulch or bioactive soil 3. This species naturally buries itself in leaf litter 1.
  • Cleaning. Spot-clean daily and change the substrate regularly 4.
  • Avoid impaction. Feed from a dish or with tongs 34.

Diet & supplementation

Evidence A
  • What to feed. Gut-loaded insects and earthworms. Offer prey no wider than the frog's head 234.
  • Rodents. Use pinky mice only sparingly for adults, because they cause obesity 3.
  • Schedule. Feed adults two to three times a week 3.
  • Supplements. Dust insects twice to three times weekly for juveniles and once weekly for adults 2. Include calcium and vitamin A 34. Poor supplementation causes metabolic bone disease 6.
  • Frozen fish. Avoid frozen fish, which can cause thiamine deficiency 6.

Handling & temperament

Evidence A

Expect a strong feeding response and a painful bite. Horned frogs always seem ready to eat 2. Their skin is delicate, so avoid handling. If you must, use moistened powder-free gloves, or move the frog in a tub 23. Wash your hands afterward, because amphibians can carry Salmonella 8.

Health

Evidence A

Common issues

  • Obesity, because horned frogs overeat if allowed 36.
  • Impaction from swallowed substrate 3.
  • Metabolic bone disease 36.
  • Shedding problems in low humidity 3.
  • Bacterial infections such as red-leg syndrome 7.

When to see a vet

See an amphibian vet for weakness, loss of balance, skin color changes, red spots or redness of the legs 7, or for a frog that stops eating 3.

Breeding overview

Evidence C
  • Rests on a single source
  • Only expert, clinic or hobby sources

Males call to attract females and bleat noisily when grouped 1. The species breeds seasonally in temporary pools and matures at about 3 to 4 years 1.

Sources

  1. Ceratophrys cornuta · Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan
  2. Basic Information Sheet: Ornate Horned Frog · LafeberVet
  3. Pacman Frog Care · Tree of Life Exotic Pet Medical Center
  4. Argentine Horned Frogs · Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital
  5. Housing for Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
  6. Nutritional Diseases of Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
  7. Common Infectious Diseases of Amphibians · Merck Veterinary Manual
  8. Salmonella, Feeder Rodents, and Pet Reptiles and Amphibians · U.S. Food and Drug Administration

Last reviewed 2026-10-24 by Novel Fauna. This guide is general husbandry information, not veterinary advice. When an animal is sick, see a veterinarian experienced with exotic animals.

Revision history

  1. Library complete: 20 more cited guides (70 total), Invertebrates group, care targets migration 0020, source title fixes 5cf06a2

Evidence grades: Novel Fauna editorial: source classification, not yet expert-reviewed, 2026-10-25. What the grades mean.

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