Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

(Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Seneca Park Zoo raises a colony of Madagascar hissing cockroaches, both young and old and both males and females.

Animal Facts

When threatened, they hiss by forcibly pushing air out of tiny breathing holes.

Males can be distinguished by small – but prominent – bumpy horns near their head that are used to intimidate rival males during breeding.

They hiss when disturbed or when defending territory, and to attract a mate, males hiss more than females

Cockroaches are a very old insect species with some fossilized estimated to be three hundred million years old!

Slow moving and docile, cannot fly.

Diet

Like other cockroaches, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are decomposers, meaning they feed on dead and decaying organic matter. They prefer plant sources such as fallen leaves and fruit.

Status in The Wild

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List status

As the name suggests, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are only found in Madagascar, a large island nation off the southeast coast of mainland Africa. They prefer to live on the floor of tropical forests.

Although not yet evaluated by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), they are considered not threatened because of their observable large population size. However, their forest habitats are some of the most threatened areas in Madagascar due to deforestation for mining and agricultural purposes. As decomposers, these cockroaches are important nutrient-cyclers in the local food chains.