Quick Take
- Madagascar hissing cockroaches are some of the largest cockroaches in the world.
- Females give birth to about 15 to 40 babies at a time through ovoviviparous birth.
- The babies are known as nymphs and come out as pale white before their exoskeleton hardens.
Insects are capable of reproducing in fascinating ways. Throughout the world, these diverse critters feature a wide range of anatomy, each specialized to their environment. The hissing cockroach is one example. This Instagram post by @vince_tkloe shows one of these cockroaches giving birth. Read here to learn more.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches are some of the largest cockroaches in the world.
©iStock.com/OKrasyuk
Hissing Cockroaches
Hissing cockroaches are a species native to the forests of Madagascar. They are among the largest cockroaches in the world, growing roughly two to three inches long. Living on the forest floor, they take advantage of fallen leaves and plant matter in various ways. For one, they find shelter beneath the leaves to protect themselves from predators such as birds and mammals, as well as from the elements. This is also where they find the majority of their food. Hissing cockroaches are decomposers. They feed on decaying plants, fallen fruits, and leaf litter.
As the name suggests, hissing cockroaches push air through tiny openings known as spiracles to create a loud hissing sound. This is done to scare off predators and to compete with other males, especially during courtship. After mating, females give birth to roughly 15 to 40 babies, called nymphs, at a time. Luckily for us, hissing cockroaches are only found outside their native Madagascar as controlled populations, such as pets or in zoos. Another advantage is that, unlike common household cockroaches, these do not infest homes. In the wild, hissing cockroaches typically live for about two to five years.
Hissing Cockroach Birth
The birth process of hissing cockroaches is fascinating. Most insects in nature lay eggs externally, which later hatch. However, hissing cockroaches are ovoviviparous. This means that the eggs hatch inside the female’s abdomen, before emerging. While it appears that the cockroach in the video is giving live birth, the process is a bit more nuanced. Inside her body, the eggs are kept in a protective case known as an ootheca, where the eggs hatch before the young are born. This form of birth provides safety for the vulnerable young, protecting the babies from external threats. The babies emerge with a very pale appearance because their exoskeletons have not yet developed. Within a few hours after birth, their exoskeletons harden and darken into a deep brown color.
