MADAGASCAR HISSING COCKROACHES

SCIENTIFIC NAME:  Gromphadorhina portentosa

HABITAT:  Tropical forests of Madagascar

CONSERVATION STATUS:  Least Concern

FUN FACT:   This species is best known for its ability to hiss.  The hissing sound is produced by forcing air through a pair of modified spiracles on the abdomen.  Air sacks in the body work like bellows to squeeze the air out.  The hiss can be heard 12 feet away, and can startle a predator so that the cockroach has time to escape.

FIND ME IN THE ZOO:

*Madagascar hissing cockroaches are education animal ambassadors, their habitat is not viewable to public as they require privacy when not on program.

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