Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

AKA Hissing Cockroach or Hisser. One of the largest species of cockroach is two to three inches when mature. They can live up to five years in captivity. They primarily eat vegetable material.

 

They cannot fly and are easily captured. They are excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass.

 

The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach is the only member of their group of cockroaches that can make audible sounds. The Madagascar hissing cockroach is all hiss and no sting. The hissing sound, which resembles a loud snake hiss, is the cockroach's attempt to scare off intruders. The male cockroach also uses distinct hisses to attract a mate and to intimidate other male cockroaches.

 

Hissing cockroaches are detritivores, which means they eat decaying plant material and animal carcasses. They recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

 

As feeders, Hissing Cockroaches should only be given to larger species of amphibians, reptiles, and Tarantulas (over 1.5 inches DLS long).

They are also kept as pets, which requires a small living area with a hiding spot, as they dislike light sources. The cockroaches prefer warmth and cannot function in cold weather. They can live on fresh vegetables along with any pellet food that is high in protein, such as dry dog food.

 

Unlike pest roach species such as the German or American cockroach, which can contaminate food with bacteria like Salmonella, Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches do not pose this public health risk.

 

We sell them by size (roughly) and in smaller quantities of 5, 10, and 25 units to support hobbyists. They are mixed sexes.

Small = .25"
Medium = .4" - .7"
Large = .8" - 1" plus