Madagascar Hissing Roach
     

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Name: Madagascar Hissing Roach
Scientific name: Gromphadorhina portentosa (Schuam)
Range: Tropical Madagascar.  An island country located off the Southeast coast of Africa.
Habitat: On the floor of forests in Madagascar.
Status: Not threatened 
Diet in the wild: Any type of dry food, iguana food or rat chow.  Also fresh greens and a constant supply of water.
Diet in the zoo: Finely ground chick or hog meal and a constant supply of water.
 
  • Physical Description
  • Body length up to 10 cm long.. 
  • Weight up to 24 grams.
  • Color dark chocolate brown with dark orange markings on the abdomen.. 
  • Large in size--as big as a small mouse. 
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    General Information

    Hissing Cockroaches are large insects that are easily handled, tame and docile.  They don't bite and are well suited for personal study.  The cockroaches may be easily cultured as food for reptiles and large spiders, such as tarantulas.
     
    Special anatomical, physiological 
    or behavioral adaptations:

    The ability of  the cockroach to hiss is produced by a pair of spiracles or breathing tubes.  The spiracles or tubes are located, counting from the front, on the fourth segment of the abdomen.  The spiracles come in pairs and allow  air to seep deep within tissues and it then oxygenates the muscles. The spiracles have a constanst in and outflow of gases, the fourth segment takes advantage of the flow and produce a sound, somewhat like a wind instrument. 
     
     
    Comments about the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches of the Fort Worth Zoo:

    Hissing cockroaches are easy to breed and are good for scientific and personal study.  A baby cockroach or neonate roach is capable of movement 30 minutes after birth.  Adult cockroaches are known for having aggressive and submissive movements, which are used between competing males.  These cockroaches are from the Tropical Madagascar and enjoy tropical temperatures of 82-96F daily and 68F at night. 
     
    Personal Observations: 

    Hissing cockroaches are very quiet.  The hiss is not constant.  The colony seems to move well together, but hide under the debris in the cage.  The light around the cage is somewhat dark, I guess this is good seeing that hissing cockroaches prefer to come out at night. 
     
     
    Source Materials and Related Links:
     
    Note that if you use a current book, you can put a link to it at one of the online booksellers, like this one to Amazon. 
     
    Page author: Alexis 

    Send E-mail to alexis_craig@excite.com
    or to mac@whozoo.org


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