HISSING COCKROACH
- A live-bearing tropical roach, native to the moist forests of Madagascar.
- Reach a maximum size of three inches.
- One of the most easily kept cockroaches, usually recommended for beginner bug-keepers.
- May live for up to five years.
- Do not have wings to escape, therefore will produce a loud hissing nose to scare predators away.
Diet
Madagascar hissing cockroaches will eat a very wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, or any food made for crickets or other types of feeder insects. Remove any uneaten food daily to prevent it from molding.
Roaches can drown easily; gel water is the safest way to provide water. Replace gel caps daily with fresh ones.
Housing
Hissing cockroaches can be housed in either a well ventilated aquarium or plastic tub. Any type of soil or bark-like substrate can be used, provide several inches for your cockroach to burrow in.
Covering the cages is not necessary; roaches cannot climb the glass or plastic sides. However a screen top is recommended if you use decorations that are stacked near the top of the cage as they may be able to crawl out.
Roaches can handle temperatures as low as 68 degrees, however a temperature of 80-90 degrees is recommended for them to thrive, especially if you wish for your roaches to reproduce. An undertank heater or ceramic heat emitter is best to use as a heat source. Keep humidity levels between 75-80%.
Handling & Care
Hissing cockroaches are relatively slow and docile, gentle handling is well tolerated.
Once a month the entire cage should be emptied of dirty bedding and wiped clean. Breeding enclosures should be cleaned weekly. Wash your hands with anti-bacterial soap after handling any animal.
