Shiny, brown, wingless oval looking bugs. The males have horns to battle each other and unleash hisses.
Originally from the island of Madagascar, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are one of the largest cockroaches. The hissing sound comes from sporicles, or tiny holes, along the roach's exoskeleton. They release air through these holes to mimic a hissing sound, which often scares predators, such as birds, away because it mimics the sound of a snake! Males and females are easily identified—males have horns on their head used for fighting.
These guys have great adaptations for climbing since they don't have wings! They have small, claw-shaped "hooks" on their feet for grasping surfaces so they can climb vertically or even hang upside down!
Madison
Island of Madagascar
Forest floors among logs and debris
2–3 inches
Fruits or other plants
Birds, snakes
Size, hissing, horns
As many as 60 young roaches at a time
Least Concern
2–5 years
