As the saying goes - there is no dispute about tastes, the more difficult it is to argue about your favorite pets. In almost every person, the appearance of a cockroach's house causes the first reaction - it must be destroyed. But there are quite a few people who keep these exotic pets in their terrariums. Of course, these are not well-known Prussians, but the real guests from the islands of Madagascar - the largest cockroaches in the world.
A little about cockroaches
The animal kingdom is represented by the most unusual representatives, the vast majority of them belong to the class of insects, among which cockroaches are far from the smallest detachment. Modern researchers have described more than 7570 species from this order. Archaeologists are not aware of deposits where animal fossils are found and cockroaches are not found. It seems that they have always existed and will exist forever. Their adaptability to external conditions is simply amazing.
All members of this order are characterized by a flat, elongated, oval body. The sizes of babies are 1.7 cm, and those exceeding 9.5 cm are the largest cockroaches. The description of these insects is always accompanied by a mention that they are one of the most hardy insects, able to tolerate radiation 15 times the lethal dose for humans. At the same time, they love moisture with warmth. Most species have wings and are able to fly, but there are wingless cockroaches.
Madagascar Giants
It is the wingless species that include representatives of the genus Gromphadorhina, who have chosen the tropical forests of Madagascar for their residence. The body length of an adult insect reaches 90 mm or more, weight reaches 60 grams. This is in natural habitat. Under favorable terrarium conditions in the absence of danger, their sizes can be much larger. Madagascarians are considered the largest in the world.
Hissing cockroaches, as they are called, are exclusively vegetarians. They feed on rotten fruits and mushrooms.
Tiger cockroach
Among admirers of cockroaches are well-known beauties in color, reminiscent of a wasp. It is not for nothing that these one of the largest cockroaches are called tiger cockroaches for their characteristic striped back, in Latin Gromphadorhina grandidieri. Nice look for home keeping. The striped back is complemented by a black breast and decorated with red spots. There are absolutely black individuals, which, for their coloration, are distinguished asa separate variety of G. grandidieri black. Such individuals live up to 5 years. Pets are happy to eat all kinds of juicy fruits and vegetables, love lettuce leaves. Feel good when eating dog food and boiled egg white. It is better to keep a couple - a male and a female.
Hissing insects
The species of cockroach Gromphadorhina portentosa may not be as beautiful as the tiger cockroach, but it was he who gave the name to the whole genus with its ability to whistle. Adults have a classic brown body color with a dark head. This biggest cockroach in the world is a real movie star. It is enough to recall such cult films as "Men in Black", the comedy "Problem Child - 2", the series "C. S. I.: Crime Scene Investigation New York" to recognize his fame. The food does not differ from the menu of the tiger fellow. You can sometimes feed porridge, especially with pleasure they eat oatmeal, like real aristocrats. Lives about 3 years.
Broad-horned mute
The species Gromphadorhina oblongonota differs from the two previously described by an outgrowth on the bridge of the nose, found only in males. This insect can no doubt be called the largest cockroach in the world. It surpasses even its Madagascar relatives in size. Not only bigger, but hissing louder. Unfortunately, they breed much more slowly than their counterparts. Therefore, they are much less common among home collections. In adults, ticks can be observed, but they are completely harmless to humans and other animals. Ticks live only at absolutesymbiosis with their donor and are not able to change the host.
Features of keeping domestic giants
Under natural conditions, Madagascar cockroaches live in a humid tropical climate. Not being able to fly, they are constantly on the plant litter and hide under the foliage or the remains of the bark from possible enemies. Considering how the largest cockroaches in the world live, it is worth creating an insectarium microclimate. Insects will thrive in any large enough tank, provided the following conditions are met.
- You need to isolate the cockroach from getting out. It is worth covering the aquarium ¾ with glass and about ¼ with a fine mesh. This will leave room for ventilation, make it possible to feed pets.
- The bottom is covered with a mixture of peat, sand and coconut substrate. For shelter, you can use pieces of birch bark. Be sure to place some large branches so that the pets can feel at home.
- The substrate is always kept wet. To do this, it is convenient to use a spray gun with a fine cloud.
- Using an infrared radiator for terrariums, the temperature is maintained at 25-30 °C.
- As a humidifier, you can purchase any electronic device or use the baths for the incubator. Humidity is kept at 60-70%.
- It is useful to use a fan to evenly distribute moist air throughout the volume and adjust it.
Cockroaches are unpretentious guests, if normal conditions are created, it will be possible to observe new pets very quickly.
