Name: Madagascar hissing cockroach

​

Scientific Name: Gromphadorhina portentosa

​

Class:  Insect

​

Lifespan: 6 months - 1 year.

​

Threats: Arachnids, ants, tenrecs, and some ground-feeding birds are likely predators

​

Distribution: Madagascar off the African mainland

​

Habitat: Forest floor

​

Appearance: Madagascar hissing cockroach reach 5 - 7cm at maturity. These cockroaches are shiny brown and oval-shaped, with no wings and a single pair of antennae.

​

Diet & Feeding: Leaf litter, logs, and other detritus.

​

Social Behaviour: They are nocturnal and semi-communal. Males are territorial and have a hierarchy, but they are not social like ants.

​

Males and females: Males sport large horns, which give them an unusual and impressive appearance. 

​

Number of young: Females lay and carry upto 60 eggs inside their bodies.

​

Interesting fact: The hiss happens when they exhale air through their breathing holes.