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Scientific Name: 
Gromphadohina portentosa
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Blattaria
Family:
Gromphorididae
Feeding Type:
Ominivorous
Range:
Madagascar
Habitat:
Warm, moist, tropical climate
Diet in the Wild:
Decaying plants and organic matter
Diet at the Zoo:
Vegetables, pellet food
Longevity:
Between 3 and 5 years
Description:
Hissing cockroaches are between 3 and 5 inches long. Males can be distinguished from females by 2 distinct protrusions on their thorax that look like horns. They are dark brown near the head, with dark orange markings at the abdomen. They have numerous “hooks” on their legs.
Adaptation/Behavior:
When touched or irritated, these cockroaches make a hissing noise by blowing air through their spiracles. (Spiracles are little black dots found on the abdomen.) Hissing cockroaches have a hard exoskeleton.
Courtship/Breeding:
Hissing cockroaches have a gestation period of about 65 days. They are ovoviviparous, which means that the eggs hatch within the female’s body and live young emerges. This is very unusual for insects. Nymphs are only ¼ inch long and very flat. To get to their adult size, nymphs molt 6 to 7 times. While molting, the cockroaches are all white after shedding and are very vulnerable for 1 to 2 hours until the new, exposed skin hardens.
Conservation:
These cockroaches are at a lower risk.
Interesting Facts |
Our Animals |
- There are about 3500 known species
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- Hissing cockroaches are in the Discovery Center, and are also part of our education animal collection.
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