Madagascar hissing cockroach

Uncommon card · No. 159135

The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa), also known as the hissing cockroach, Malagasy hissing cockroach or simply hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach, reaching 5 to 7.5 centimetres (2 to 3 inches) at maturity. They are native to the island of Madagascar, where they are commonly found in rotting logs. It is one of some 20 known species of large hissing roaches from Madagascar, many of which are kept as pets, and often confused with one another by pet dealers; in particular, G. portentosa is commonly confused with G. oblongonota and G. picea. Unlike most cockroaches, they are wingless. The "hissing" sound (expelling air through their bodies) is their primary defense, to frighten potential predators, as they cannot fly and are easily captured. They are excellent climbers and can scale smooth glass. Males can be distinguished from females by their thicker, hairier antennae and the very pronounced bumps on the pronotum. Females carry the ootheca internally...

Read on Wikipedia · Image Almabes at English Wikipedia, Public domain