Giant Madagascan Hissing Cockroach
Gromphadorhina portentosa
Giant Madagascan Hissing Cockroaches are found on the island nation of Madagascar, which is off the east coast of Africa. As decomposers, they perform an important role in nature. They eat leaf litter and other decaying plant and animal tissue, and break these materials down for nature to reuse.
Madagascan hissing cockroaches get their name from a defensive warning sound they produce through small openings on their sides, which are used for breathing. When air is pumped out of these small openings, it produces a hiss, which can be heard from 12 feet away!
Cockroaches are almost indestructible. Some can survive freezing for more than two days, go without food for three months, and live through nearly 100 times the radiation dose that would kill a human.
Giant Madagascan hissing cockroaches have been found to be almost identical to fossil roaches that lived over 300 million years ago. This is older than the dinosaur era!
Having been around for millions of years has brought these cockroaches amazing popularity. They can be seen making their film debuts in both movies "Men in Black" and "Starship Troopers." The EcoTarium's cockroaches are not currently on exhibit, but you can see them at "animal encounter" programs.
Written by EcoTarium staff member Jen Lavoie