Animal Biography COCKROACH (Madagascar Hissing) Phylum: Arthropoda Class: Insecta Order: Blattodea Family: Blaberidae Genus: Gromphadorhina Species: portentosa Name Sex ID Born Acquired Notes None Asst. Many housed in one tank Common Names: Cockroach (from Spanish cucaracha), roach, hissing beetle, hissing roach, hisser. Habitat and Range: Hissing cockroaches love warmth. They live only on the island of Madagasscar. Most live under leaves, bark, and piles of decaying vegetation Description: Hissing cockroaches have flat, oval bodies. Colors range from light yellow-brown to darker shades of brown and black. They have a pair of mandibles for grasping food and long, sensitive antennae (which are very flexible). Their legs are strong and long with structures on the bottom of each leg that enable their owner to cling to vertical surfaces. Although most types of roaches have wings, the Madagascar ones are entirely wingless. Adult Size: 2-3 inches in length, 1 inch wide.. Diet in the Wild: These Cockroaches are decomposers, feeding on a variety of decaying ovegetable matter. Diet at the Zoo: Sweet potatoes, apples, carrots, kale, monkey biscuits. Reproduction: Within her genital canal the female forms hard cocoons (oothecae), each containing an average of 12-25 eggs. The female carries the oothecae around in her abdomen. She has been seen to extrude the egg case and then reabsorb it. The nymphs are hatched inside her body. They are white when they first emerge and darken quickly. The nymphs will molt 6 times before becoming adults. Life Span: They have been known to live 2-5 years in the wild.. Perils: Tenrecs and Lemurs eat them, along with birds and other animals. Protection: Roaches have long, strong legs and are able to run fast. Because of their shape and pliable exoskeleton, they are able to take refuge in narrow crevices. They are prolific breeders. The hissing noise distracts the predator (who think it is a snake), allowing the roach to run and hide. 11/2010 Animal Biography Insect Facts: As with all insects, the many segments of the body are grouped into three major parts: the head, thorax and abdomen. The head bears the antennae, eyes and mouth parts; the legs are attached to the thorax; the abdomen has the breathing system (spiracles). All parts are protected by a hard outer covering, the exoskeleton. The head is a small triangle found under the front of the thorax. Interesting Facts: Hissing is produced by contracting the abdomen and forcing air out of the spiracles. Adult males are armed with short, blunt horns which are used in non-harmful territorial shoving matches. Females lack horns and are slightly larger and heavier. Hissing roaches naturally carry small mites which roam over their bodies. So far as can be determined, the mites cause no serious harm to the roaches but apparently do not benefit them either. These mites are non-parasitic and completely harmless to humans. Ecology: Roaches are decomposers and play a vital role in the ecology of the planet. They also are an important food source for many animals. 11/2010 .