Gromphadorhina portentosa: Difference between revisions
Created page with "== About == <b>Madagascar Hissing Cockroach</b> thumb|Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches chilling at a terrarium == Observations == === In captivity === <gallery> </gallery> === Pets === <gallery> File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_01.jpg File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_02.jpg File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_03.jpg File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_04.jpg File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_05.jpg File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_06.jpg </gal..." |
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<i>This page is all up-to-date. No further observations.</i> | |||
== About == | == About == | ||
<b>Madagascar Hissing Cockroach</b> | [[File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_05.jpg|thumb|Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches relaxing in a terrarium]] | ||
As one of the largest cockroach species worldwide, the <b>Madagascar Hissing Cockroach</b> is a favorite of terrarirum owners all around the world. With up to 8 cm (over 3 inches) in length and a very calm demeanor, they are ideal insects for everyone trying to get started with an easy species. They feed on fruit and vegetables, fish flakes or leaves and spend a good part of the day just laying around and keeping each other warm. Their name comes from the sound they make when [https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/invertebrates/facts/madagascar-hissing-cockroach communicating to each other or fighting ]. | |||
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are viviparous, which means they birth their young rather than laying eggs. That makes it very easy to control populations even in a bigger setting. It is typically believed that a 30x30 cm terrarium might be big enough for a small group. However, out in nature they do populate the rainforests of Madagascar, explore trees and hideouts and are very active when the conditions are right. Ideal conditions for them mean 24-28°C and 70-80% humidity. In captivity and as pets they need at least one bigger flat burrow to hide out and relax in. They can be seen cuddled up in there. | |||
These roaches do not pose a risk to human living spaces. They don't feed on scraps and aren't considered pests in Madagascar. However, if in captivity one of them escapes from a terrarium, it should be found within a few hours for the sole reason of not being able to thrive in colder and dry environments. A good guess is to look near heating and sunny windows where they try to find warmth. They aren't hard to catch because they move very slow for an insect. | |||
== | == Sam says == | ||
I used to keep Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches for a few years and might again in the future. They are easy to please and enjoy contact such as being petted. Mine also used to nod their little antennae when they heard loud music, probably reacting more to the vibration than the music itself. When I let that population die off over time, they would very much react to one of their own dying. As (largely) herbivores they not only didn't feed on the carcass of other roaches but would try to keep them warm. | |||
== | == Slideshow == | ||
<gallery> | <gallery mode=slideshow> | ||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_01.jpg | |||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_02.jpg | |||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_03.jpg | |||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_04.jpg | |||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_05.jpg | |||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_06.jpg | |||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_07.jpg | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
== Observations == | |||
=== Pets === | === Pets === | ||
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File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_05.jpg | File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_05.jpg | ||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_06.jpg | File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_06.jpg | ||
File:Gromphadorhina_portentosa_07.jpg | |||
</gallery> | </gallery> | ||
[[Category:Hissing Cockroaches]] | [[Category:Hissing Cockroaches]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:56, 24 February 2026
This page is all up-to-date. No further observations.
About
As one of the largest cockroach species worldwide, the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is a favorite of terrarirum owners all around the world. With up to 8 cm (over 3 inches) in length and a very calm demeanor, they are ideal insects for everyone trying to get started with an easy species. They feed on fruit and vegetables, fish flakes or leaves and spend a good part of the day just laying around and keeping each other warm. Their name comes from the sound they make when communicating to each other or fighting .
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are viviparous, which means they birth their young rather than laying eggs. That makes it very easy to control populations even in a bigger setting. It is typically believed that a 30x30 cm terrarium might be big enough for a small group. However, out in nature they do populate the rainforests of Madagascar, explore trees and hideouts and are very active when the conditions are right. Ideal conditions for them mean 24-28°C and 70-80% humidity. In captivity and as pets they need at least one bigger flat burrow to hide out and relax in. They can be seen cuddled up in there.
These roaches do not pose a risk to human living spaces. They don't feed on scraps and aren't considered pests in Madagascar. However, if in captivity one of them escapes from a terrarium, it should be found within a few hours for the sole reason of not being able to thrive in colder and dry environments. A good guess is to look near heating and sunny windows where they try to find warmth. They aren't hard to catch because they move very slow for an insect.
Sam says
I used to keep Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches for a few years and might again in the future. They are easy to please and enjoy contact such as being petted. Mine also used to nod their little antennae when they heard loud music, probably reacting more to the vibration than the music itself. When I let that population die off over time, they would very much react to one of their own dying. As (largely) herbivores they not only didn't feed on the carcass of other roaches but would try to keep them warm.
