Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Gromphadorhina portentosa

Up to 5 years

As their name suggests, these cockroaches are native to Madagascar.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches play a vital role in the ecosystem as decomposers. They break down decaying plant and animal matter and return important nutrients to the soil.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches live in large colonies, often in decaying logs. One cockroach hissing is rather quiet, but when a colony hisses simultaneously, they can frighten predators away. This is their only defense mechanism, as they cannot fly or sting. They are one of the largest species of cockroach in the world. Males are distinguishable from females due to the presence of horns near their head, which appear as two small bumps.

Conservation Status

Threats in the Wild

There are limited data for threats and populations trends for these cockroaches.

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