The Madagascan Giant Hissing Cockroach

The Madagascan Giant Hissing Cockroaches are found in Savannah areas on the island of Madagascar, which is off the Eastern coast of Africa. An adult Cockroach measures 2-3 inches long, and 1 inch wide. The male and female of the species have decidedly different features enabling the sex to be determined easily. Male Madagascan Cockroaches have pronatal humps on their thorax that look like horns. Females have small bumps or their thorax, or nothing at all. The males use these pronatal humps as defense and attack mechanisms while in battle with other males. The males will fight until their opponent backs off from the fight. Female Cockroaches of this type do not fight with other cockroaches.

The young roaches need to shed their exoskeleton as they grow. Once shed the exoskeleton will be eaten, and the roach will receive valuable nutrients. They will molt six times before they reach adult age. Young roaches emerge from their mothers bodies in an egg case. The female gives birth to 20-40 nymphs over a two day period of time. Gestation is about 60-90 days. They are flat in shape, and about 1/4 of an inch long. The parents will stay in close physical contact for an extended period of time. The young (nymphs) reach maturity in 5 to 10 months, the hotter the environment, the faster they will mature. These cockroaches, unlike most, have no wings. They are good climbers, and can easily scale smooth surfaces, such as glass. Rotting wood is their favorite habitat. The roaches are commonly covered in mites, which are hosts to the food these roaches eat. These mites are not harmful to humans, or other animals. They feed on various types of vegetation.

The hissing sound that these cockroaches produce comes from pushing air through the holes in which they also use for breathing. The Madagascan Giant Cockroach tucks it's head under it's thorax and makes the hissing sound to scare away any predators. They also hiss during courtship, or to warn other Cockroaches of approaching intruders, and potential threats. Lizards are a known predator of the Madagascan Giant Hissing cockroach.

Their calm nature makes them a favorite pet to keep. They are easy for small children to take care of, and interesting for them to look at, with their familiar hissing sound also being an attraction as a household pet. Many classrooms also use them for learning purposes, and they are in various zoo exhibits.