Scientific Name: Gromphadorhina portentosa
Status: Least Concern
Wally's Story: Wally came to SWI from the organization Wild Things, Inc. located in Auburn California.
Facts: Like Most cockroaches Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are not pests, but play an important role in their rainforest home. Living on forest floors, where they hide amidst leaf litter and under logs they feed primarily at night on fruit or plant materials they aid in the decomposition of plant matter helping to poor soil the rainforest regain nutrients. As the name suggests, Madagascar Hissing Cockroachs are so named is characterized by its hissing sound, produced when they force air through the respiratory openings or spiracles found on each segment of their abdomen. This hissing noise is made for several reasons: One, males will establish hierarchy when challenged by another male the winner hisses more wins. Two, hissing is also an important part of the their mating ritual, and can serve as an alarm cry.
Range: Madagascar (rainforest)
Conservation: Like all cockroaches Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches reproduce quickly having as many as 60 offspring of nymph(s) in a single reproductive cycle. They are commonly kept by hobbyist and bred for the consumption of other animals in captivity.