Are you looking for a unique pet that is low maintenance and easy to care for? If so, then the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach may be the perfect pet for you!
The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is a species of large cockroach native to the island of Madagascar. They are one of the largest species of cockroach in the world, reaching up to 3 inches in length. They are also one of the loudest insects, producing a hissing sound when disturbed.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are not fast runners, and can’t jump very far. The thing they are very good at is climbing walls, even glass walls in their cage. Many families put petroleum jelly at the top 1” of their enclosure to keep them from being able to climb out.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are very docile, and are not aggressive towards people. They’re very active, and can be a lot of fun for children to watch. They are also very curious, and enjoy exploring their environment.
These fascinating creatures have been kept as pets for centuries and are becoming increasingly popular as family pets. They are easy to care for and require minimal space, making them an ideal pet for those with limited living space.
The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is an omnivore, meaning it eats both plant and animal matter. In captivity, they can be fed a variety of foods including fruits, vegetables, and commercial cockroach food.
They are very easy to care for, and require little maintenance. One of the best things about these cockroaches is that they can’t survive outside of their enclosure in a family home. Even if they manage to escape their enclosure there is no risk of an infestation because they don’t eat garbage or drink dirty water.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are easy to find at reptile shops because they’re often used as feeder insects for reptiles. They’re also sold on Amazon. They’re not very expensive and you should be able to get 50 to 100 for around $10 to $15.
These unique creatures are also known for their distinctive hissing sound, which is made by forcing air through their spiracles (breathing holes). This sound is used to communicate with other cockroaches and can be heard up to several feet away.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches make great pets for those looking for a low maintenance pet that is easy to care for . They require minimal space and can be kept in groups, making them an ideal pet for those with limited living space. They are also fascinating to watch and their hissing sound is sure to captivate anyone who hears it!
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Information
- Average Length: 2 to 4 inches
- Average Weight: Up to .9 ounces
- Skin Appearance: Rigid outer skeleton
- Skin Colors: Brownish to Black.
- Grooming Needs: Low
- Shedding: 6 times until they become adults (5 months)
- Sensitive to Touch: No
- Biting Tendency: No
- Tolerance to Heat and Cold: No
- Good Pet: Yes
- Safe with Children: Yes
- Good with Other Pets: No
- Suitable to live in an Apartment: Yes
- Good for Less Experienced Pet Owners: Yes
- Weight Gain: Normal
- Health Concerns: Mites, Molting Problems and Dehydration
- Average Life Span: Up to 5 years in captivity
Physical Appearance of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches grow between 2 to 4 inches long making them one of the largest cockroach species. They have a hard exoskeleton that covers their entire body. Many cockroach species have wings but Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches don’t.
The males look different from the females. Males have large horns located at their abdomen. They use their horns to fight with other males. Male roaches have two large bumps on their dorsal surface that some people mistake for their eyes. Their head is located under the bumps and is protected by heavy armor. Female roaches also have these bumps but they are not as prominent as they are with males and their bumps are smoother.
Both sexes have a pair of modified external respiratory openings called spiracles. When Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches force air through these openings, a hissing sound is produced. They will make the hissing sound while fighting, mating or when they are disturbed.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have six legs and there are special pads on their feet that let them climb most surfaces including glass.
Adult Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have brownish or black bodies. Young cockroaches that are molting will emerge from their old exoskeleton white and their brown or black color returns once their new exoskeleton hardens.
Temperament of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are hardy, calm and easy to handle and are usually active during the night.
Hissing Cockroaches don’t normally bite but may make a hissing sound when you touch them at first. Their owners can handle them without problems.
Their Compatibility with Children
These cockroaches are safe for children because they don’t bite or get aggressive. They might make hissing sounds when they’re handled. Always have your children wash their hands after handling Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches. There can be mites or mold on your Cockroaches that can cause skin irritations or allergies in children.
Living Space for Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Setting up a living area for Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches is easy. They can be kept in a glass/plastic tank or aquarium. The tank should have a secured mesh lid to keep the cockroaches from climbing and escaping. Because these roaches are great climbers, rubbing a layer of petroleum jelly near their lid can be a great way to keep them from climbing out.
Their tank should be placed in a warm area that is not directly under a light. They don’t like light, and like many Cockroaches they’ll try to hide when the lights come on.
Cage Size
A small 5 to 10-gallon tank can be used to house a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. If you plan to keep more or want to breed them, a larger tank should be used.
Substrate
For bedding we recommend using wood chips, peat moss or sphagnum moss. These bedding options will let your Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches burrow and hide from light.
Lighting
As mentioned earlier Cockroaches don’t like light and will attempt to hide to get away from it. Like all Cockroaches they enjoy a dark environment, but this can make it difficult to see your pets. We suggest using a strip of LED lights and keeping them dim. If possible use a colored light, and try to keep it from shining directly into their enclosure.
Decorations
Several cardboard dividers or wire mesh should be added inside their enclosure. These decorations will create surfaces that your roaches can climb on. Hiding spots can be created with small boxes of cardboard, driftwood or empty toilet paper cores.
Best Climate for Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches
Giving the ideal climate for Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches is easy and doesn’t require a lot of effort. Keeping their tank warm, ventilated and slightly humid is enough.
Temperature
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches prefer their enclosure to be just above room temperature between 72°F and 76°F. If the temperature is kept slightly higher around 80°F they will be more likely to breed and keep them more active. In their natural habitat the temperature can get upto 100°F, so don’t worry if it gets warm for them. If their enclosure’s temperature falls below 70°F it will make them much less active and dormant. Their enclosure’s temperature should never be allowed to fall below 65°F.
If you have kept their enclosure in a warm room then an external heat source may not be needed. If your home is cold, or you just want your Cockroaches to be more active or want to breed them, then an external heat source should be used.
An under-tank heat pad or heat rocks can be used to keep the temperature warm enough for them. Keep the external heating source at one corner of the tank. This will create separate warm and cool areas inside the tank and let the cockroaches regulate their body temperatures.
Having a thermometer inside their enclosure will make it easy to measure the temperature of their enclosure.
Humidity
The ideal humidity range for Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches is between 60-70%. While they can survive at slightly lower humidity they won’t do as well. Mist their tank and substrate occasionally using a spray bottle. Misting and keeping a water bowl in their enclosure will help keep their tank humid.
Keeping a hygrometer inside the tank makes it easy to check the humidity.
The Attention a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Needs
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are low maintenance pets that don’t need a lot of care. Keeping their enclosure clean and feeding them is the only attention that they need from you.
While they don’t depend on human affection they will allow their owners to handle them. Your Cockroaches should be handled with care because they are fragile and can be hurt if not handled correctly.
Health Issues
Common health issues are:
Mites
The presence of mites in an insect can have a variety of symptoms that depend on the species of mite and the insect it infests. Common signs include lesions, discoloration, webbing, or clumps of feces on the host. In some cases, mites can also be visible to the naked eye. To confirm a mite infestation, microscopic examination is often necessary.
Mites are arachnids and many species inhabit the outdoors, where they feed on a variety of plants and animals. Some species have a preference for insects. The most common mite pests that like insects include spider mites, gall mites, eyelash mites, scab mites, and bird-mite species. In some cases, a single species may infest a variety of insect hosts, while others are host-specific.
Mite infestations can rapidly lead to severe damage and even death of the host insect. To prevent an infestation in the first place, keeping an eye out for signs of mites is important. If an infestation does occur, chemical treatments are often necessary to eradicate the mites and protect the insect from further damage.
Dehydration
Insects are particularly susceptible to dehydration because their bodies are made up mostly of water. In order to survive in an arid environment, they must be able to conserve water and stop it from evaporating out of their bodies. To hold onto water, insects have several strategies for dealing with dehydration.
First and foremost, many insects have developed thick cuticle layers that help reduce the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. This cuticle layer is often made up of waxes, oils and other substances that act as a barrier to prevent water loss.
Insects also have mechanisms for controlling their water intake. Some insects are able to regulate their water intake by closing off the opening in their trachea when environmental conditions become too dry. This helps stop the insect from becoming dehydrated.
Molting Problems
Molting is a process where insects shed their exoskeleton in order to grow and develop. While this process is integral for insect survival, it can also cause some major problems. Insects can have molting problems due to environmental factors, diet or genetics. These issues can lead to incomplete molts, malformations, developmental delays and even death.
Incomplete molts are a common molting problem. If an insect does not shed its exoskeleton completely, the new one can become stuck. As a result, the insect will not be able to grow or develop properly. In some cases, the old exoskeleton may even suffocate the insect if it’s not removed quickly enough.
Diet can also play a role in molting problems. An inadequate or unbalanced diet can cause the insect to be unable to molt properly. Some insects are sensitive to certain foods or chemicals and these substances can interfere with the molting process.
Genetics can also cause molting issues. Some insects have genetic mutations that can cause malformations or developmental delays. These issues can lead to problems during the molting process and can even be fatal if the insect is unable to shed its exoskeleton completely or in time.
General Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches Care
Remove uneaten food and waste from their tank regularly. Replace their water bowl and replace the water with fresh water every day.
Check the temperature and humidity every day and make changes if needed.
Feeding Your Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are active eaters and feed on a variety of foods. While they feed on ripened fruits in the wild, in captivity they can be given dry foods like processed dog, cat, or fish food. These are high in protein and should be their primary food source. The food should be crushed up a bit so that it’s easier for them to eat it.
In addition to processed animal foods, fruits and vegetables help round out their diet with some sweets and greens. Orange slices, apples, grapes and banana peels can be fed to your Cockroaches. Vegetables like carrots, sweet potatoes and potato slices are all good for them. Leafy greens like romaine lettuce can also be fed to them but avoid giving them iceberg lettuce because it has almost no nutritional value.
Only feed them small pieces that are less than one square inch. While some cockroach species eat decaying food, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches will not. Remove uneaten food after a few days to keep the tank clean and prevent mold growth.
Keep a small and shallow water bowl inside the tank. There should be several stones inside the water bowl so they can climb out if they fall in. A plastic water container with a cotton ball can be used as a water source. Fill the plastic container with water and make a hole in it. Place the ball and it will start soaking water. This will let the cockroaches drink water without the risk of drowning.
Related Questions:
How do Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches Breed?
Female Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches give birth to younger cockroaches in a unique way. They produce eggs and after mating the females incubate the eggs in a brood pouch inside their body. Once the egg hatches the females push them out of their body. The period from conception to birth takes around 60 days. The nymphs or younger offspring undergo several molts before they become an adult, usually at around 5 months.
Are There Restrictions on Keeping Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as Pets?
There are restrictions on keeping Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches as pets. Florida doesn’t allow shipping of Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches into the state. An individual needs to get a special permit if they want to keep these insects as pets. The permit is needed both for keeping them as a pet or for breeding purposes.
Can Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches Infest Your Home?
Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are unlike other cockroaches that infest homes. While cockroaches can live in walls and feed on garbage, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches prefer a clean living space. They like to eat healthy fresh foods and can’t survive in your home outside their living enclosure. Their need for fresh food and a specific living environment makes sure they don’t infect your homes if they escape their cage.
Maryna is an animal expert that has had dozens of animals in her life over the years. She has never found an animal that she didn't love immediately. It seems like every year she finds kittens that have been abandoned by their mom and she nurses them to health and finds homes for them. She contributes her vast knowledge about animals and family pets to our website and we're forever grateful to have her working with us. She's also an amazing graphics designer and has designed all of the social media images that we use across all platforms.