The hissing roach
Native to the island of Madagascar, the Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is one of the largest species of the cockroach family and perhaps one of the most interesting.
Wingless, unlike the majority of its counterparts, it is unique in the insect world for its method of producing a 'hiss' that is used as a defense warning and, it's believed, for communication within the colony.
The Madagascan Hissing Cockroach forms its hiss by expelling air from breathing pores on its abdomen called spiracles.
These invertebrates can grow to around 4 or 5inches in length and tend to thrive in colonies of around 20 to 30 with an 'alpha' male at the helm.
The males can easily be distinguished from the females by the presence of two horn-like protrusions on the pronotom (top of the plate protecting it's head), thicker, hairier antennae and more pointed abdomen.
After successful mating, the females produce an ootheca (egg sac) containing around 24 to 30 nymphs. This yellowish or white coloured egg sac is carried internally and the nymphs hatch live after a gestation period of around 3months. However, it is not unusual for the ootheca to protrude from the female's abdomen, or to be expelled from the body completely (as can happen if the cockroach is stood on, for example) and for the nymphs to hatch successfully.
In captivity, these cockroaches can live for around 4 or 5years. In the wild, 2 or 3years is believed to be more common. They reach adulthood at around 7months, after successive moults (instars) of their hard, exoskeleton. Immediately following the shedding of their skeleton, the cockroaches are almost transparent white in colour and very susceptible to injury and predation whilst they harden and darken over the next few hours.
Like the majority of cockroaches, they are nocturnal. Their poor eyesight allows them only to distinguish between light and dark. However, their antennae allow them to feel, taste and smell their environment exceptionally well.
Tiny fish-hook like hairs on their legs aid them in climbing the stems of grasses and bark of tree trunks and their hard skeleton protects them from falls.
They are omnivores, eating a wide range of plant material, fruit, vegetables and meat. When kept in captivity, dried dog biscuits and even fish flakes have proved popular treats.
The unique and interesting appearance and characteristics of the Madagascan Hissing Cockroach makes it an appealing classroom pet. They are unable to bite, good to handle and fairly easy to maintain in a heated tank.
Cockroach Costumes
Make an impact at parties!
Think of the impression you'll make when you arrive at your next Halloween Party dressed as a cockroach!
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Life in the Undergrowth
Bug Movies!
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A Bug's Life (Two-Disc Collector's Edition)
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Keeping Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches
So you wanna keep cockroaches?
It's best to set-up their environment and home before purchasing your cockroaches.
You will need:
A glass or perspex tank (or other container). This should be as big as you can afford and certainly no smaller than with dimensions (Length x Width X Height) 60cm x 30cm x 50cm to keep around a dozen of these social insects.
Shallow water dish that can filled with cotton wool to prevent cockroaches from falling in and drowning.
Shallow food dish.
Hiding places - hollow tubes, pipes or logs.
Water spray
Course vermiculite, jungle type bedding or similar soil substrate (this will have to be changed every month or so).
Heat mat to maintain a relatively constant temperature in the range of 18°C to 25°C.
You may also want to use some baby oil every other day to line the top inch or two of the inside of your tank to help reduce the chance of escape.
Once you've got your tank set up, it's time to introduce your cockroaches!
Please try to find the most reputable dealers to ensure that your animals will be in the best of condition and that their natural environment isn't being harmed in their collection.
Keeping a colony of around 12 cockroaches will mean you'll probably want 3 or 4 males and 8 females. One male, the alpha, will assume control of the colony and should tolerate the presence of the other males. However, from time to time the dynamics of colony will change and the males may fight for mating rights.
The cockroaches tend to regulate the size of their own colony, only mating when space, conditions and resources are suitable.
By creating a regular, daily routine of caring for your cockroaches you should find they live long healthy lives.
Change their food every day to prevent fruit fly and other pests from invading their environment. Provide water and ensure the soil substrate is kept moist by spraying a couple of times a day. Every month or so, change the soil in their tank. Take care when disposing of the soil and removed food by bagging and either freezing or microwaving it before disposal in the waste. This ensures that no cockroaches escape into your local environment.
From time to time, cockroaches may die and again you should ensure they are totally dead by freezing before disposal. Occasionally, cockroaches may 'play dead' lying on their back or being motionless for up to a day or two. Check carefully before making the decision to freeze!
Insects
Great titles about the world's most populous animals
Brilliant books and DVDs about insects, including the Madagascan Hissing Cockroach.
The Compleat Cockroach: A Comprehensive Guide to the Most Despised (And Least Understood) Creature on Earth by David G. Gordon
everything you ever wanted to know, and then some, more...0 points
Travel to Madagascar
Visit one of the most interesting islands in the World for natural history, where you'll find not only Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches but also Lemurs and Chameleons.
Cockroach Corner
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