Madagascar Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are large, wingless, live-bearing cockroaches that may be the best starter cockroach species. They're relatively common, inexpensive, and very interesting additions to any collection, as well as great food items for reptiles, large tarantulas, and large centipedes. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have a tough exoskeleton for protection, for they do not possess wings like many other cockroach species. They can also produce a loud hissing sound to scare away predators. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches generally live 2 to 3 years as adults, but some adults can live for up to 5 years. They can be raised in large numbers in a matter of months, yet are not a pest species. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches have been used as creepy effects in movies for many years as well. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach makes an amazing, exotic, and easy-to-care for insect pet!

Range	Moist forests of Madagascar.
Type	Terrestrial.
Diet	Babies and adults eat romaine lettuce, red leaf lettuce, apples, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.
Full Grown Size	1.5 to 3 inches.
Growth	Fast speed.
Temperature	75 to 90° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Docile and calm.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic container with air holes. Adults can live in a 2.5 to 15-gallon tank, depending on the number of cockroaches. Cockroaches can live communally. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate	1 to 2 inches of peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor	Cork bark, live plants, driftwood, etc. make good hiding places.
Other Names	Madagascar Giant Hissing Cockroach.

Giant Cave Cockroach (Blaberus giganteus)

This cockroach is the largest species in it's genus, and is one of the largest species of cockroaches known to man! The Giant Cave Cockroach is closely related to the cockroaches living in the Carboniferous coal forests 200 million years ago. They have been common lab animals since the 1950's. This cockroach is not considered to be a "pest" species. Giant Cave Cockroaches have many names besides the Giant Cave Cockroach, some of which are listed below. These cockroaches are a great species to have if you want to have a cockroach colony, because of their beauty and size. They make interesting captive insects, and even make great food for reptiles, large tarantulas, and large centipedes!

Range	Tropical areas of Panama, West Indies and northern South America.
Type	Arboreal.
Diet	Babies and adults eat romaine lettuce, bananas, apples, carrots, and other fruits and vegetables.
Full Grown Size	2.5 to 4 inches.
Growth	Medium speed.
Temperature	70 to 80° F.
Humidity	75 to 80%.
Temperament	Docile and nervous.
Housing	Babies can live in a clear plastic container with air holes. Adults can live in a 2.5 to 29-gallon tank, depending on the number of cockroaches. Cockroaches can live communally. Height is more important than floor space.
Substrate	2 to 3 inches of peat moss, potting soil, or pine chips.
Decor	Branches, driftwood, cork bark, etc. make good hiding places and climbing accessories.
Other Names	Trinidad Cave Cockroach, Trinidad Giant Cockroach, Cuban Giant Cockroach, Cuban Black-Spot Cockroach, Glass-Wing Cockroach, Giant Black-Spot Cockroach, and Giant Cockroach.