The notion of cockroaches as pet
Cockroaches: everyone knows them and most of them hate them. But not all! There are many large and beautiful species that have mascot. Most of them are not at all like the species that infest houses! On this page you can find information on the morphology, senses, life cycle, and natural habitat of a cockroach. At the bottom of the page you will find general advice and quick information on caring for cockroaches.
Morphology of a cockroach
dubia
dubia cockroaches
Cockroaches have the same physique plan as other insects: three body segments (head, thorax and abdomen), six legs, two pairs of wings, two antennae and two eyes. Some species have underdeveloped wings that they can not use to fly. Others have wings of normal size, but still are not able to fly.
The cockroach head is generally oriented downwards and covered by its dorsal shield (which in fact is an extension of the thorax that reaches up over the head). When you see a cockroach from above, the head is not visible in most species.
The senses of a cockroach
Cockroaches have the same senses as us: sight, smell, hearing, taste and touch. Your senses are not located in the same organs as in humans! Cockroaches can hear with their paws. In fact they feel vibrations with their legs instead of with a structure like the ear. Your sense of smell is located on your antennae. Cockroaches have compound eyes, with which they can perceive light, including ultraviolet light.
Development and life cycle
Cockroaches are part of heterometábolos or hemimetábolos: they have an incomplete metamorphosis. Newborn cockroaches look exactly like adult cockroaches, with some small differences (egg, absence of wings). These nymphs change their skin every few weeks, advancing to a larger nymph stage. Newborn nymphs are called L1 nymphs, the next molts are L2, and so on until they are adults. Adults can be recognized by their wings; nymphs do not have wings and adults do. Some species never develop wings, even when they reach adulthood.
The eggs of the cockroaches are in sacks of eggs called ootheques. These ootecas are made of a kind of foam to protect the eggs. Some species of cockroaches drop their ootheques on the ground, others stick them in a chosen place, and others keep them inside their body until the nymphs hatch.
Madagascar cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa
Madagascar cockroach - Gromphadorhina portentosa
Natural habitat
Cockroaches are found on all continents (except Antarctica) and almost all countries. This implies that their habitat is also very diverse; some cockroaches live in humid conditions, others in droughts, in hot, cold places, etc. Most of the species that have mascot live in humid environments in the tropics. These cockroaches are usually very large and easy to take care of, which contributes to their popularity.
Keeping Pet Cockroaches
In the pages about specific species of cockroaches you can find all about the care of these species. Here is just some quick information about caring for cockroaches as pets.
Accommodation for your cockroaches
Your cockroaches need a terrarium or container in general that is safe, leak-proof and large enough. Young cockroach nymphs can escape through the smallest cracks because their body is very flat. The sliding doors that are commonly used for terrariums have an open space between the doors through which young cockroaches can escape. Some species of cockroaches can walk through plastic and glass vertically, while others do not. Some species can fly. Be sure to check what the species of your choice can do, or use an escape-proof container for it.
The size of the tank depends on how many cockroaches you want to have and what size they are. In general, the tank should be at least 6 times larger than the space that cockroaches cover. This way, they have enough room to walk around and get away from each other if they want. Bigger is always better.
You need to give cockroaches a good substrate and places to hide. Whatever is appropriate depends on the species of cockroaches you have; some need a humid environment, others need a dry one. For humid environments you can put wet soil in general in the bottom of the tank. As hiding places, you can put tree bark, flat stones and wood. For dry environments you can cover the floor with oats and you can put egg cartons or small cardboard structures as hiding places.
Temperature and Humidity
Proper temperature and humidity are crucial to the survival of your cockroaches. Make yourself at home
