Madagascar hissing cockroach

At the Zoo

Insect Zoo and Baobab Tree (upstairs, Madagascar Center)

Fascinating facts

• The Madagascar hissing cockroach is believed to be the only insect that can hiss.
• They are excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass.

Physical characteristics

As one of the largest cockroaches in the world, they can grow between 2 to 3 inches in length, and about one inch wide. Unlike other cockroach species, they do not have wings. Coloration ranges from mahogany brown to burnt orange to black.

They have a row of small holes along the sides of their abdomen which are specialized breathing pores. When air is expelled, they produce a hissing sound that can startle predators. Their can grip easily as their legs have specialized pads and hooks.

Habitat

They are from the island of Madagascar off the African coast, where they can be found in rotting logs, leaf litter, and other detritus.

Diet

At night, they become more active and scavenge for meals, feeding primarily on fruit or plant materials. At the Zoo they are fed apples and other fruit.

Social behavior

The Madagascar cockroach has become characterized by its hissing sound, large size, and appearance. In this insect, sound is produced by forcibly expelling air through a pair of modified abdominal spiracles. Spiracles are breathing pores which are part of the respiratory system of insects. Because the spiracles are involved in respiration, this method of sound production is more typical of the respiratory sound made by the vertebrates.

Status in the wild

They are common and not endangered.