Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are oval-shaped, brown, and typically grow to about 2 to 3 inches long. They have a hard, waxy exoskeleton, six legs, and two long antennae. Unlike many other cockroach species, they do not have wings. Males can also be identified by the large horn-like bumps, or tubercles, behind their heads, which they use to compete with one another.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches live on the floor of tropical lowland rainforests. They spend most of their time hidden among dry leaves, fallen plant material, and forest debris.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are herbivores. They feed on fruits, leaves, and other plant material found on the forest floor.

These cockroaches live in colonies, though males may establish and defend small territories within the group. They begin life in an unusual way. Females carry an ootheca, or egg case, inside their bodies, where the eggs develop until they are ready to hatch. At that point, the female gives birth to as many as 60 live young, called nymphs. The nymphs resemble miniature adults and shed their exoskeleton several times before reaching maturity at around 6 to 7 months old. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches typically live 2 to 3 years in the wild and up to 5 years in human care.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are famous for the sound that gives them their name. They make this hissing noise by forcing air through tiny breathing openings called spiracles on their bodies. They hiss for different reasons, including warning off threats, competing with other males, and during courtship. Unlike most insects, which make sound by rubbing body parts together, this species uses air movement, making it especially unusual in the insect world.

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