Hissing Cockroach Facts
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
The Madagascar hissing cockroach is also commonly referred to as the hissing cockroach. These insects are native to Madagascar and live in forests and other moist, tropical regions. Hissing cockroaches are omnivores which feed primarily upon vegetables and other decaying organic matter. Hissing cockroaches can grow to reach three inches in length. Unlike other species, the Madagascar hissing cockroach gives birth to live nymphs.
The Madagascar hissing cockroach is the only known insect species capable of hissing. While other insects create sound by rubbing body parts together, the Madagascar hissing cockroach hisses by releasing air from abdominal spiracles. These cockroaches produce two kinds of hisses: upon reaching a certain developmental stage, all hissing cockroaches can produce the disturbance hiss, but only males ever emit the fighting hiss. Male hissing cockroaches are very territorial and use their horns in combat.
