Back off!
These cockroaches frighten off predators by making a unique and unusual hissing sound.
They're really old!
Cockroaches are older than the dinosaurs. They originated more than 280 million years ago!
The world's greatest survivors.
They can survive running through fire, being frozen in ice and even explosions.
Lifespan: 6 months - 1 year
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Threats: Arachnids, ants, tenrecs, and some ground-feeding birds are likely predators
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Distribution: Madagascar off the African mainland
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Habitat: Forest floor
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Appearance: Madagascar hissing cockroaches reach 5 - 7cm at maturity. These cockroaches are shiny brown and oval-shaped, with no wings and a single pair of antennae
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Diet & Feeding: Leaf litter, logs, and other detritus
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Social Behaviour: They are nocturnal and semi-communal. Males are territorial and have a hierarchy, but they are not social like ants
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Males and females: Males sport large horns, which give them an unusual and impressive appearance
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Number of young: Females lay and carry up to 60 eggs inside their bodies
The hiss happens when they exhale air through their breathing holes
