Tune Into the Hisses of Madagascar’s Iconic Insect

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Madagascar hissing cockroaches are some of the largest cockroaches in the world, often reaching up to 4 inches long! And while the term “roach” my make you squeamish, these particular insects are not pests. In fact, many people keep these creatures as pets.

Hissing cockroaches, or hissers, are ground-dwellers, meaning they don’t have wings and therefore don’t fly. They have short antennae and six short, hairy legs. But perhaps the most noteworthy feature of the Madagascar hissing cockroach is their eponymous sound: their hiss.

In this episode of “Sounds of the Wild,” we explore how and why they make their hissing sound, and then we listen to what it sounds like. Enjoy!