Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Product Details

The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is among the largest cockroaches in the world, reaching up to 4 inches. Its size and high protein content make it an excellent feeder choice for large insectivores.

As feeders, these roaches tend to have enormous appetites, which makes them excellent candidates for gut loading.

As gigantic tropical insects, they make fun and interesting pets and exotic specimens for those so inclined. When kept under optimal conditions, their lifespan is measured in years.

Read about hisser care requirements

While a cockroach that hisses may sound menacing on the surface, their bark is just for show. In fact, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are generally considered harmless. They don’t bite, and they won’t harm you or your animals. They’re mostly docile, shy creatures. While they sometimes nibble a finger in their search for food, they’re not at all aggressive.

As roaches go, they are not particularly fast-moving, and they have little fear of humans. Individual specimens are often “tame” from the start, and those that aren’t can usually be calmed in short order. This just takes regular, gentle handling. Giant insects have fewer predators, and this is reflected in their disposition.

We raise our hissers just as we do our Dubia and other roach species. We feed them fresh fruits and vegetables along with our specially formulated roach chow.

Here are some ways Madagascar hissers compare to hissing cockroaches as a group:

• They are the largest
• Their appetite is average
• They are slower and live longer
• Their activity level is average
• Care & cleaning requirements are average

If you’re buying these as pets, please note that their coloration varies significantly. Some are single-colored while others are multi-colored. Solid colors range from orange to brick orange to deep mahogany. Multi-colored specimens often feature dark mahogany or black accents. Coloration also varies by age, with their adult colors often very different from those they display as nymphs.

And as mentioned previously, Madagascar hissing cockroaches are nutritious feeders for large insectivores. If your animal has outgrown Dubia roaches or you’re looking for a supplemental feeder, consider giving these a try!

NOTE: With the exception of the Breeder and Colony Starter options, we sell these primarily as feeders.