Madagascar hissing cockroach

E917721

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is a large, wingless cockroach native to Madagascar, best known for the distinctive hissing sound it produces by forcing air through its spiracles.

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Observed surface forms (3)

Surface form Occurrences
Gromphadorhina portentosa 0
Cockroach 1
Gromphadorhina 0

Statements (49)

Predicate Object
instanceOf arthropod
cockroach
insect
pet invertebrate
terrestrial invertebrate
activityPattern nocturnal scavenger
averageLength 5 to 7.5 centimeters
bodyColor black
dark brown
breathesThrough spiracles
class Insecta
commonNameOf Gromphadorhina portentosa NERFINISHED
defenseMechanism flattening body to hide in crevices
hissing display
diet decaying plant material
detritivore
endemicTo Madagascar NERFINISHED
family Blaberidae NERFINISHED
Blaberidae NERFINISHED
foundIn pet trade worldwide
genus Gromphadorhina NERFINISHED
gestationPeriod about 60 days
habitat forest floor
rotting logs
hasCharacteristic flightless
large-bodied
nocturnal
wingless
hasSpiraclesOn abdomen
keptAs pet
kingdom Animalia
lifespanInCaptivity 2 to 5 years
nativeTo Madagascar NERFINISHED
nonNativeTo Europe NERFINISHED
North America NERFINISHED
order Blattodea
phylum Arthropoda
producesSound hissing sound
reproduction ovoviviparous
sexualDimorphism males have pronounced horn-like projections on pronotum
socialBehavior gregarious
soundProductionMechanism forcing air through spiracles
taxonRank species
usedIn classroom teaching
educational demonstrations
scientific research
usesHissingFor communication
courtship
defense

Referenced by (2)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Madagascar! exhibit featuresAnimal Madagascar hissing cockroach
Years Gone By (1969 album) hasTrack Madagascar hissing cockroach
subject surface form: Years Gone By
this entity surface form: Cockroach