Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina porteniosa)

Did you know? There are more than 4,000 different species of cockroaches in the world, which have been around for approximately 300 million years. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches give birth to live young and they do not fly, bite, or sting.

Description: Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are reddish-brown to black in color and grow up to 2 to 3 inches. They have a relatively long, flat body with no wings. Their legs are covered in small spines, which aid in movement. The males have two “horns” on the top side of the thorax, whereas the female’s thorax is basically smooth. Their long antennae pick up air movements, tastes, and smells. These cockroaches create a loud hissing noise by sucking in air and then pushing it out through tiny holes in their abdomen. This intimidating sound scares away any potential intruders.

Range: These cockroaches are found almost anywhere throughout Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa. They are not found in the United States.

Diet: Cockroaches are omnivores and eat a variety of live and dead plants and animals. They are very beneficial decomposers in the natural world. They are mainly active at night and have natural predators such as frogs, snakes, birds, and insectivorous mammals.