Also known as the "Ornate Horned Frog" and the "PacMan Frog," the Argentine Horned Frog is a voracious eater. They probably derived their popular nickname, the "Pac Man Frog," from the fact that they have huge mouths and normally devour their prey in one swallow. They are native to the steamy, stormy woodlands of Northern Argentina, Uruguay, and along the Rio Grande river.

Argentinian Horned Frogs are relatively inactive. They are not a recommended pet for those who like to watch animals stir around and perform for them, as they rarely move. They can be quite aggressive if kept in pairs, especially if one is significantly larger than the other, in which case the larger frog may eat the smaller. Young frogs should be housed separately as well, for the same reason. They also have a history of aggression towards larger animals (including humans). If you are going to handle the frog, be very gentle, and only do so occasionally. Males are smaller than females, averaging 4 inches (10 centimeters) in length, while the females can reach 5.5 inches (14 centimeters).

Argentine Horned Frogs are green in color with red markings. Some may be darker and may have black markings. Their skin acts as a camouflage in the wild as they wait for their prey to pass near enough to attack. They will grow to a length of approximately 6 inches, males usually significantly smaller than females. Larger females may weigh as much as a pound. As far as body composition, their bodies are usually as wide as they are in length. They received the "Horned" part of their moniker from the fact that their upper eyelids come to a point over their eyes. Their mouths are about as wide as their heads.

The Argentine Horned Frog originates in the native tropical and montane rainforests of South America.

These frogs should be housed individually, and may eat smaller tankmates. A mature Argentine Horned Frog will need to be housed in a minimum 10 gallon tank. In the wild this frog hides by burying himself under leaf litter. It is important that he be given hiding places in the captive setting as well. For substrate, use paper towels or newspaper can be used and the tank can be decorated with sphagnum moss and either artificial or live plants (which they will also use for hiding places). To keep humidity levels high, mist the sphagnum moss daily. Give them a water dish to soak in, and refill it daily. Since they are tropical animals it is important that their vivarium be kept warm and humid. Keep the air temperature at about 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and about 75 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can be fed a variety of insects, small fish, and mice.

Frogs are not animals that should be handled excessively. Their skin is sensitive and oils from human hands may affect them adversely.

To sex your Argentine Horned Frog, check their throats and compare their sizes. Males have darker throats and females almost always grow larger than males. Place the pair in a cool dry environment with a dry layer of sphagnum moss. Once you have paired them, mist the male with water (to simulate rain) and he will usually "call' the female. Maintain a temperature of 70 degrees, and do no be surprised if they do not eat very much during this period. If males are not aroused, you may want to record their call and play it back to them, because males are encouraged by the call of other males. Float some type of plant in the water on which eggs can be laid and usually, within three to four days, the female will lay. After the eggs are laid, remove the male. Females will lay 1,000 to 2,000 eggs.

The tadpoles will be carnivorous and will eat live worms. To keep them from cannibalizing each other, place the tadpoles into a tank of water filled with floating plants (real or plastic). If you place food on the floor of the encasement, the tadpoles will swim down, eat, and then hide in the plants. Even after taking this precaution you may still lose several tadpoles to cannibalism. Tadpoles grow very quickly, and will begin to look like small frogs in about a month. Young frogs will eat crickets, mealworms, and small goldfish. Though fun to breed, Argentinian Horned Frogs will require a lot of time and effort to breed