Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Found in Madagascar. The "horns" or bumps on the male's pronotum are used in fights for breeding rights to the female. It is very uncommon to see males fight unless you observe them all of the time. They rely on noise-making to defend them selves. They range from 1 1/2- 3 inches (4-7.8cm). Also males are usually much smaller. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are called "glass climbers" which mean that they can walk on glass as if it was floor, just like Gecos. The best thing to keep them from getting out of their enclosures is Vaseline. Lubricate about 2 inches (5cm) from the top of the enclosure with Vaseline, each time they will try to climb on it they will just keep on sliding back down. During growing up, the these cockroaches change in to many different shades of brown and black. Ones matured, they will give birth to live babes every month.

4 weeks old nymph.

3 month old Gromphadorhina portentosa.

Subadult female.

Adult Male.

Adult female.

A breeding colony.

Just finishing moulting. Since the new exoskeleton has not being exposed to the light, it is white/ milky color. It will turn into the normal black color with in couple of hours. If this was an albino cockroach, its eyes would have being white.

Adult female eating an apple leaf.