Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

They are originally from the island of Madagascar off the African coast, where they can be found in rotting logs. Unlike most cockroaches, they are wingless (though this is also true of some other wood-dwelling roaches). They are excellent climbers and can easily scale smooth glass. Males can be readily distinguished from females by their thicker, hairier antennae and the pronounced "horns" on the pronotum. Females carry the ootheca (egg case) internally, and release the young nymphs only after the eggs have hatched. As in some other wood roaches, the parents and offspring will commonly remain in close physical contact for extended periods of time. In captivity, these insect can live 5 years, and feed primarily on various types of vegetable material.

Hissing

The Madagascar cockroach has become a popular pet because of its hissing sound, large size and interesting appearance. Their nickname, "hissing cockroach", is due to their ability to force air through the breathing pores (spiracles) found on their abdomen. The Madagascar hissing cockroach is believed to be the only insect that can hiss in this exact manner, as most insects that make a "hissing" sound do so by rubbing together various body parts. (Some longhorned beetles, e.g., the Giant Fijian long-horned beetle, can squeeze air out from under their elytra, but this does not involve the spiracles). This hiss is used in two contexts: the disturbance hiss and the fighting hiss. All cockroaches from the fourth instar (fourth molting cycle) and older are capable of the disturbance hiss. Only males use the fighting hiss when challenged by other males. This results in one of the males eventually backing down and the fight being over.

Parasites

The mite species Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi lives on this species of roach, and takes part in its host's food.

Scientific Name:

Gromphadorhina portentosa

Life Span of Hissing Cockroaches:

2-3 years on average (sometimes up to 5!)

Size:

Madagascar hissing cockroaches reach a size of 1.5 to 3 inches long

Appearance:

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are dark reddish brown to black, with a hard exoskeleton and no wings.
Temperament: Madagascar hissing cockroaches are hardy and docile and can easily be handled. Good for beginners.

Housing:

A 10-15 gallon tank with house several Madagascar hissing cockroaches comfortably. Use a secure mesh lid. Aspen wood shavings (1-2 inches deep) can be sused for a substrate (don't use cedar or pine). Provide some hiding places, which can be as simple as cardboard rolls from toilet paper, pieces of cardboard egg cartons, cork bark, driftwood, and small cardboard boxes.

Temperature:

Being tropical, hissing cockroaches do best if kept a bit above room temperature (tolerate anywhere from 75-90 F or 24-32 C).

Feeding:

Hissing cockroaches should be fed a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (do not feed head lettuce, stick with romaine and other green leafy types) in combination with dry dog food. Carrots seem to be a universal favorite; oranges, apple, bananas, tomatoes, celery, squash, peas and pea pods, and others can be fed. Remove uneaten food after a while to avoid spoilage.

Water:

Water should be provided in a shallow dish with cotton or some other absorbent material in it to prevent cockroaches from drowning.

Notes:

Hissing cockroaches have a pair of modified spiracles (the tubes insects use for breathing) that they use to produce the hissing sound that inspired their name. They will hiss when disturbed, and males hiss when courting females. Sometimes a whole colony will hiss in unison (for reasons not clear to us).

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