Madagascar hissing cockroach

TheMadagascar hissing cockroach(Gromphadorhina portentosa), also known as thehissing cockroachor simplyhisser, is one of the largest species ofcockroach, reaching 5 to 7.5 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) at maturity. They are native to the island ofMadagascar, which is off the African mainland, where they are commonly found inrotting logs. It is one of some 20 known species of largehissing roachesfrom Madagascar, many of which are kept as pets, and often confused with one another by pet dealers; in particular,G. portentosais commonly confused withG. oblongonotaandG. picea.
Unlike most cockroaches, they are wingless. The "hissing" sound (expelling air through their bodies) is their primary defense, to frighten potential predators, as they cannot fly and are easily captured. They are excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass. Males can be distinguished from females by their thicker, hairierantennaeand the very pronounced bumps on thepronotum. Females carry theoothecainternally, and release the young nymphs only after her offspring haveemergedwithin her (this is known asovoviviparity). As in some other wood-inhabiting roaches, the parents and offspring will commonly remain in close physical contact for extended periods of time. In captivity, they have been known to live up to 5 years. They feed primarily on vegetable material.
As the common name suggests, the Madagascar hissing cockroach is characterized by its "hissing" sound, which some people claim sounds more like a rattlesnake's tail or arainstick.This is their primary method of warding off potentially insectivorous predators. The sound is produced as the insect forcefully expels air out of their specialized respiratoryspiracles(orifices), mainly those that are located on the insect fourth body segment (abdomen),although spiracles are found, more or less, on all segments of their abdomen. The Madagascar hissing cockroach is the only member of their group of cockroaches that can make audible sounds. Compared to crickets, this exact mode of sound production is atypical, as most insects that make noises do so by rubbing together various body parts ("stridulation"), such as the hind legs. Somelong-horned beetles, e.g., thegiant Fijian long-horned beetle, hiss by squeezing air out from under theirelytra, but this does not involve the spiracles. In hissing cockroaches, the sound takes three forms: the disturbance hiss, the female-attracting hiss, and the aggressive or fighting hiss. All cockroaches from the fourthinstar(fourth molting cycle) and older are capable of the disturbance hiss. Only males use the female-attracting hiss and fighting hiss; the latter is used between males to settle territory disputes over breeding rights. The hissing makes them a popular pet; initially, they will make the noises when picked up, though they quickly calm down and adjust to being handled and observed up-close.
ThemitespeciesGromphadorholaelaps schaeferilives on this species of 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 not harm the cockroaches they live upon, they arecommensals, not parasites, unless they build up to abnormal levels and start starving their host.  Recent studies have shown that these 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 increases the life expectancy of the cockroaches.
The Madagascar hissing cockroach has been known to be featured in Hollywood movies, prominently inBug(1975), as cockroaches who could set fires by rubbing their legs together, and inDamnation Alley(1977) as post-nuclear-war mutant armor-plated "killer" cockroaches. InStarship Troopers, a sci-fi satire film about future humans' war against an alien species called "The Bugs", a teacher is shown encouraging her students to step on this species as part of a TV propaganda broadcast.
In 1984, a guest named Adam Zweig appeared onLate Night with David Letterman, demonstrating his pet Madagascar cockroach "climbing the tightrope over the fires of hell and the pit of doom".
A Madagascar hissing cockroach was used by artistGarnet Hertzas the driver of a mobile robotic artwork.
They were frequently used in the reality television seriesFear Factor, where in one episode of the 2002 series, featuring celebrities competing for charity, the host,Joe Rogan, ate one as part of a wager with contestantAlison SweeneyofDays of Our Livesafter she had what Rogan has since described as "the greatest freak-out inFear Factorhistory" after panicking during a stunt. While normally she would be eliminated, as the show was for charity, it was decided that if she ate 3 worms she would advance to the final stunt regardless. In addition, Rogan would eat a cockroach as part of the bet.
The species also made an appearance in the movieMen in Blackin 1997. This was later parodied in the comedyTeam America: World Police(2004), where a cockroach emerges from aKim Jong-ilpuppet's body after his death, enters a tiny spaceship, and flies away.
In September 2006, amusement parkSix Flags Great Americaannounced that it would be granting unlimited line-jumping privileges (for all rides) to anyone who could eat a live Madagascar hissing cockroach, as part of aHalloween-themed promotion for their annualFrightFest. Furthermore, if a contestant managed to beat the previous world record (eating 36 cockroaches in 1 minute), they would receive season passes, for four people, for the 2007 season. Despite any protein or additional nutrients, cockroaches contain a mildneurotoxinthat numbs the mouth and makes it difficult to swallow.The promotion ended on October 29, 2006.
Since 2011theBronx Zoohas held a roach-naming and gifting program themed forValentine's Dayallowing their Madagascar hissing cockroaches to be named by benefactors. Funds raised are donated toWildlife Conservation Society, the parent nonprofit organization of the zoo.
Madagascar cockroaches can be kept as exotic pets. They require a small living area with an area for them to hide because they dislike light sources. The cockroaches prefer warmth and cannot function in cold weather. 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 environment. Fish tanks with screens work best but it is also wise to coat the top few inches withpetroleum jellyto keep them from getting out of 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.
In the US, 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. This is because of the similarity between Madagascar and Florida in climate, which makes them potentially invasive. In fact, during outreach programs, theUniversity of Florida'sDepartment of Entomology 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 female into the environment.
It is also possible to raise them to feed other pets, as they are reasonably high in protein. Reptiles are often given roaches as food.