Surinam Horned Frog

Surinam Horned Frog key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

10-15 years in captivity

Size

7-15cm, up to 20cm; males about 7.2cm

Temperature

24-27°C (around 21°C in the winter dry season)

Humidity

60〜80%

Diet

Crickets, roaches and other insects, plus fish

Temperature & Humidity

Published figures for the genus give around 24-27C, with a slightly cooler dry period of about 21C in winter. Keep humidity at 60-80 per cent. As a rainforest species it is intolerant of drying out, so never let the substrate dry completely.

Enclosure

Provide damp soil or sphagnum deep enough for the frog to bury itself half-submerged; never use gravel, which can be swallowed. Keep a shallow water dish available and change the water often. Wild-caught animals are nervous, so give them plenty of cover to hide in.

Diet & Feeding

It is carnivorous and is fed insects and fish; wild-caught animals that refuse other food will often take fish. It will eat pinkie mice, but these can cause organ problems, so limit how often they are offered. Dust feeders with calcium.

Temperament

It is a voracious ambush predator that bites at anything moving, and it is cannibalistic from the tadpole stage, so it must be kept alone. Feed with tongs and keep fingers away.

Notes

The species is not listed in the CITES appendices, and it is neither a specified animal nor an invasive alien species under Japanese law. The IUCN rates it Least Concern but notes concern over collection for the pet trade; wild-caught animals are traded, so prefer captive-bred stock. As an amphibian its skin is sensitive, so wash and wet your hands before handling it. It was once treated as the same species as the common pet Argentine horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata) but was separated because the two live in different habitats, so care information written for that frog should not be applied directly.

About Surinam Horned Frog

A horned frog native to the Amazon rainforest, known for its long eye-horns and ambush-hunting habit of burying in leaf litter. Grows 7-15cm, with females larger than males.

7 things to know before welcoming a Surinam Horned Frog

1. 1Solitary Housing

   Surinam horned frogs have a powerful feeding response and a very wide mouth, so housing more than one together risks cannibalism. Keep each frog in its own enclosure rather than pairing them up.

2. 2Burrowing Substrate

   In the wild they bury themselves in leaf litter to ambush prey, so a soft, moisture-retentive substrate deep enough to burrow into — coco fiber or sphagnum moss work well — helps them settle in.

3. 3Warm, Humid Environment

   As a rainforest species, it doesn't tolerate dryness or sudden temperature swings well. Keep the substrate moist and provide some airflow so humidity stays high without the enclosure turning stagnant.

4. 4A Low-Activity Frog

   As an ambush predator, it spends most of its time buried and motionless, waiting for food to come to it. Don't expect constant movement — its appeal lies in its quiet, still presence.

5. 5Feed With Tongs, Not Hands

   It bites reflexively at anything that moves nearby, so feed with tongs rather than bare hands. Offer insects as a staple and adjust prey size as the frog grows.

6. 6Marked Size Difference Between Sexes

   Adults typically reach 7-15cm, occasionally approaching 20cm in large individuals. Females grow noticeably larger than males, which tend to stay around 7cm.

7. 7A 10-15 Year Commitment

   In captivity these frogs typically live 10-15 years, making them a long-term commitment. It's worth considering beforehand whether you can maintain consistent care over that span.

Frequently asked questions about Surinam Horned Frog

Q.Can I keep more than one together?

A.It's best to house them individually, since there's a real risk of cannibalism. They may try to eat any tankmate small enough to fit in their mouth, so avoid housing them together.

Q.Do they bond with their owner or enjoy handling?

A.They don't bond with people the way dogs or cats do — this is more of a watch-and-enjoy species. Their skin is sensitive, so handling should be kept to a minimum.

Q.What should I feed it?

A.Insects such as crickets make up the staple diet, with prey size increasing as the frog grows. It's a carnivorous, reflexive feeder that reacts strongly to anything moving nearby.

Q.Is it normal for it to barely move?

A.Yes, that's completely normal. As an ambush predator it spends long stretches buried and still, waiting for prey — it isn't a species that moves around actively.

Q.Are there any legal restrictions on keeping one?

A.The Surinam horned frog is not subject to CITES. There's no need to worry about special international trade restrictions for this species.

Useful tools for Surinam Horned Frog care

Learn more about Surinam Horned Frog in the encyclopedia

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