How does the Madagascar hissing cockroach make its hissing sound?

It forces air out through spiracles on its abdomen, producing distinct hisses for different purposes such as warding off threats, attracting mates, or fighting rival males.

Can Madagascar hissing cockroaches fly?

No, they are completely wingless, though they are skilled climbers able to scale even smooth surfaces like glass.

How long do Madagascar hissing cockroaches live?

In captivity, they can live for up to about five years.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroachマダガスカルゴキブリ

Gromphadorhina portentosaNE— Not Evaluated

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is one of the largest cockroach species in the world, native to the forest floors of Madagascar. Wingless but a strong climber, it is famous for the loud hissing sound it produces by forcing air through its abdominal spiracles, using different hisses for defense, courtship, and rivalry among males.

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (reference photo) — Photo: Tzim78 / CC BY 4.0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Blattodea / Blaberidae Source
Size: Adult body length about 5–7.5 cm, one of the larger cockroach species
Lifespan: Lives about 5 years in captivity
Diet: Omnivore Omnivorous with a mainly plant-based diet; in captivity it is fed vegetable scraps, dog food, and similar foods
Activity: Nocturnal, becoming active after dark
Distribution: Native to Madagascar, where it inhabits rotting logs and leaf litter on the forest floor. Source
Sources: en.wikipedia.org www.furekon.jp

Did You Know?

Unlike most cockroaches, it is completely wingless and cannot fly, yet it is an excellent climber capable of scaling smooth surfaces like glass. Source
It produces its signature hiss by forcefully expelling air through abdominal spiracles, using distinct hiss types for disturbance, courtship, and male-to-male combat. Source
It reproduces by ovoviviparity, hatching its eggs internally and giving birth to fully formed nymphs. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1

Iida Shiritsu DoubutsuenNaganoAddress: 33 Ogimachi, Iida, Nagano.

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Not Evaluated (NE)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

How does the Madagascar hissing cockroach make its hissing sound?: It forces air out through spiracles on its abdomen, producing distinct hisses for different purposes such as warding off threats, attracting mates, or fighting rival males. Source
Can Madagascar hissing cockroaches fly?: No, they are completely wingless, though they are skilled climbers able to scale even smooth surfaces like glass. Source
How long do Madagascar hissing cockroaches live?: In captivity, they can live for up to about five years. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org