The Madagascar hissing cockroach, also known as the hissing cockroach or simply
The Madagascar hissing cockroach, also known as the hissing cockroach or simply

hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2 to 3 inches at
hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 2 to 3 inches at

maturity. They are from the island of Madagascar off the African mainland,
maturity. They are from the island of Madagascar off the African mainland,

where they can be found in rotting logs. It is one of some 20 known species of
where they can be found in rotting logs. It is one of some 20 known species of

large hissing roaches from Madagascar, many of which are kept as pets, and
large hissing roaches from Madagascar, many of which are kept as pets, and

often confused with one another by pet dealers; in particular, G. portentosa is
often confused with one another by pet dealers; in particular, G. portentosa is

commonly confused with G. oblongonota and G. picea.
commonly confused with G. oblongonota and G. picea.

Unlike most cockroaches, they are wingless. They are excellent climbers
Unlike most cockroaches, they are wingless. They are excellent climbers

and can scale smooth glass. Males can be distinguished from females by their
and can scale smooth glass. Males can be distinguished from females by their

thicker, hairier antennae and the pronounced "horns" on the pronotum.
thicker, hairier antennae and the pronounced "horns" on the pronotum.

Females carry the ootheca internally, and release the young nymphs only after
Females carry the ootheca internally, and release the young nymphs only after

the eggs have hatched. As in some other wood-inhabiting roaches, the parents and
the eggs have hatched. As in some other wood-inhabiting roaches, the parents and

offspring will commonly remain in close physical contact for extended periods of
offspring will commonly remain in close physical contact for extended periods of

time. In captivity, these insects can live 5 years. They feed primarily on
time. In captivity, these insects can live 5 years. They feed primarily on

vegetable material. Hissing
vegetable material. Hissing

As the name suggests, the Madagascar hissing cockroach is characterized by
As the name suggests, the Madagascar hissing cockroach is characterized by

their hissing sound, produced when they force air through their respiratory
their hissing sound, produced when they force air through their respiratory

openings found on each segment of their abdomen. The Madagascar hissing
openings found on each segment of their abdomen. The Madagascar hissing

cockroach is one member of a group of roaches that can all hiss; this exact
cockroach is one member of a group of roaches that can all hiss; this exact

mode of sound production is atypical, as most insects that make sound do so by
mode of sound production is atypical, as most insects that make sound do so by

rubbing together various body parts, such as legs. Some long-horned beetles,
rubbing together various body parts, such as legs. Some long-horned beetles,

e.g., the giant Fijian long-horned beetle, hiss by squeezing air out from
e.g., the giant Fijian long-horned beetle, hiss by squeezing air out from

under their elytra, but this does not involve the spiracles. In hissing
under their elytra, but this does not involve the spiracles. In hissing

roaches, the hiss takes three forms: the disturbance hiss, the female-attracting
roaches, the hiss takes three forms: the disturbance hiss, the female-attracting

hiss, and the aggressive fighting hiss. All cockroaches from the fourth instar
hiss, and the aggressive fighting hiss. All cockroaches from the fourth instar

and older are capable of the disturbance hiss. Only males use the
and older are capable of the disturbance hiss. Only males use the

female-attracting hiss and fighting hiss; the latter is used when challenged
female-attracting hiss and fighting hiss; the latter is used when challenged

by other males. Associations with other animals
by other males. Associations with other animals

The mite species Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi lives on this species of
The mite species Gromphadorholaelaps schaeferi lives on this species of

cockroach along the undersides and bases of the legs and takes some of its host's
cockroach along the undersides and bases of the legs and takes some of its host's

food as well as consuming particulates along the host's body. As these mites do
food as well as consuming particulates along the host's body. As these mites do

not harm the cockroaches they live upon, they are commensals, not parasites,
not harm the cockroaches they live upon, they are commensals, not parasites,

unless they build up to abnormal levels. Recent studies have shown that these
unless they build up to abnormal levels. Recent studies have shown that these

mites also may have beneficial qualities for the cockroaches, in that they clean
mites also may have beneficial qualities for the cockroaches, in that they clean

the surfaces of the cockroaches of pathogenic mold spores, which in turn
the surfaces of the cockroaches of pathogenic mold spores, which in turn

increases the life expectancy of the cockroaches.
increases the life expectancy of the cockroaches.

Popular culture The Madagascar hissing cockroach has
Popular culture The Madagascar hissing cockroach has

been known to be featured in Hollywood movies, prominently in Bug as
been known to be featured in Hollywood movies, prominently in Bug as

cockroaches who could set fires by rubbing their legs together and, in
cockroaches who could set fires by rubbing their legs together and, in

Damnation Alley, as post-nuclear-war mutant armor-plated "killer"
Damnation Alley, as post-nuclear-war mutant armor-plated "killer"

cockroaches. In Starship Troopers, a movie about a war against an enemy
cockroaches. In Starship Troopers, a movie about a war against an enemy

called "The Bugs," a teacher is shown encouraging her students to step on this
called "The Bugs," a teacher is shown encouraging her students to step on this

species as part of a TV propaganda broadcast.
species as part of a TV propaganda broadcast.

A Madagascar hissing cockroach has been used as the driver of a mobile robot.
A Madagascar hissing cockroach has been used as the driver of a mobile robot.

They were used in the reality television series Fear Factor. The species also
They were used in the reality television series Fear Factor. The species also

made an appearance in the movie Men In Black in 1997. This was later parodied
made an appearance in the movie Men In Black in 1997. This was later parodied

in the comedy Team America: World Police, where one emerges from Kim
in the comedy Team America: World Police, where one emerges from Kim

Jong-il's body after his death, enters a tiny spaceship, and flies away.
Jong-il's body after his death, enters a tiny spaceship, and flies away.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches were used in the Criminal Minds episode "The Itch"
Madagascar hissing cockroaches were used in the Criminal Minds episode "The Itch"

by the unsub who used them on his victims to share his psychosis that they
by the unsub who used them on his victims to share his psychosis that they

had morgellons before killing them. In September 2006, amusement park Six
had morgellons before killing them. In September 2006, amusement park Six

Flags Great America announced that it would be granting unlimited line-jumping
Flags Great America announced that it would be granting unlimited line-jumping

privileges for all rides to anyone who could eat a live Madagascar hissing
privileges for all rides to anyone who could eat a live Madagascar hissing

cockroach as part of a Halloween-themed FrightFest. Furthermore, if a contestant
cockroach as part of a Halloween-themed FrightFest. Furthermore, if a contestant

managed to beat the previous world record, he would receive season passes
managed to beat the previous world record, he would receive season passes

for four people during the 2007 season. This is a difficult record to break
for four people during the 2007 season. This is a difficult record to break

because raw cockroaches contain a mild neurotoxin that numbs the mouth and
because raw cockroaches contain a mild neurotoxin that numbs the mouth and

makes it difficult to swallow. The promotion ended on October 29, 2006.
makes it difficult to swallow. The promotion ended on October 29, 2006.

As pets Madagascar's cockroaches can be kept as
As pets Madagascar's cockroaches can be kept as

exotic pets. They require a small living area with an area for them to hide
exotic pets. They require a small living area with an area for them to hide

because they do not like the light. Due to their propensity to climb, the living
because they do not like the light. Due to their propensity to climb, the living

area must be tested to see if they can climb it as they do in their natural
area must be tested to see if they can climb it as they do in their natural

environment. Fish tanks with screens work best but it is also wise to coat
environment. Fish tanks with screens work best but it is also wise to coat

the first few inches with petroleum jelly to keep them from getting out of
the first few inches with petroleum jelly to keep them from getting out of

the habitat that they are kept in. They can live on fresh vegetables along with
the habitat that they are kept in. They can live on fresh vegetables along with

any kind of pellet food that is high in protein, such as dry dog food.
any kind of pellet food that is high in protein, such as dry dog food.

In the USA, some states require permits before this species can be kept as a pet
In the USA, some states require permits before this species can be kept as a pet

or in breeding colonies. The state of Florida requires such a permit. In fact,
or in breeding colonies. The state of Florida requires such a permit. In fact,

during outreach programs, the University of Florida's Department of Entomology
during outreach programs, the University of Florida's Department of Entomology

and Nematology, which has such a permit, allows only males to be taken out of the
and Nematology, which has such a permit, allows only males to be taken out of the

laboratory. This is to prevent the possible introduction of a pregnant
laboratory. This is to prevent the possible introduction of a pregnant

female into the environment. References
female into the environment. References

.roachforum.com/index.php?showtopic=3452 ^ Delfosse, E. Les blattes souffleuses
.roachforum.com/index.php?showtopic=3452 ^ Delfosse, E. Les blattes souffleuses

de Madagascar. Insectes 153: 19-22. ^ "Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot –
de Madagascar. Insectes 153: 19-22. ^ "Cockroach Controlled Mobile Robot –

Garnet Hertz". Conceptlab.com. Retrieved 2011-04-04.
Garnet Hertz". Conceptlab.com. Retrieved 2011-04-04.

^ Zimmern, Andrew. Andrew Zimmern's Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird,
^ Zimmern, Andrew. Andrew Zimmern's Field Guide to Exceptionally Weird,

Wild, and Wonderful Foods. Feiwel & Friends. p. 30.
Wild, and Wonderful Foods. Feiwel & Friends. p. 30.

External links CockroachGuy.com ~ Care information and
External links CockroachGuy.com ~ Care information and

photos dedicated to the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
photos dedicated to the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Housing and Bedding
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach - Housing and Bedding

Rearing cockroaches and details of a society dedicated to keeping cockroaches
Rearing cockroaches and details of a society dedicated to keeping cockroaches

Live roach cam When Cockroaches Seize Controls –
Live roach cam When Cockroaches Seize Controls –

Cockroach-controlled mobile robot story in Wired News
Cockroach-controlled mobile robot story in Wired News