Madagascar Hissing Cockroach: Not As Scary As You Think!
The Madagascar hissing cockroach is the species that you will typically see on television shows that want to creep you out. Though these cockroaches aren't cute to look at and do look quite menacing, they are actually a very shy breed. The Madagascar Hissing cockroach is bigger than your common cockroaches, as the German or the Oriental roach, but you won't see them in homes nearly as often.
This type of cockroach is found in the forests of Madagascar, which is where its name came from. They are very large, measuring up to three inches in length, and when you look closely at them you will see that they have very hairy or prickly legs. This prickly leg feature is meant to scare away those that may be preying on the bug, or keep those that do try to feast on them from chewing. Imagine the surprise of the animal that takes a Madagascar roach into its mouth only to be poked in the tongue!
The hissing of this roach is what scares many people, because common perception is that the roach is actually hissing at those around it. While the hissing sound is an effective defense, the roach is simply forcing air out of breathing holes on its body to breathe as well as make the noise. The noise along with the spines on the legs often deters humans as well as other animals from coming too close. Animals that are curious usually watch as the roach crawls away, as they are like most other roaches and do not invite danger.
While the Madagascar Hissing cockroach is quite big and looks scary, it is actually a very slow moving roach, so that one shouldn't worry about the roach attacking them. Not only does the cockroach move very slowly, it also does not fly. Because the roach does not fly and isn't aggressive, this is actually a great cockroach to observe if you were ever going go observe such an insect. Of course, to observe this cockroach you will have to visit a zoo, a wild life observatory, or the forests of Madagascar.
While the Madagascar hissing cockroach typically is not a species that you will see in your home, if you do live in an area where this species is prevalent, you should take measures to ensure that it does not take up residence in your home. Madagascar hissing cockroaches are like other species, they reproduce quite quickly and can turn your beautiful home into a roach motel in very little time. Remember, though this roach is not destructive or harmful, you do not want it living in your home as it can contaminate your home with disease or bacteria transferred from decaying plant and animal products that it feeds on.
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