At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives 5-7.5 cm at maturity; Animal Diversity Web gives 5.1-10.2 cm.
Animal Diversity Web gives 2-5 years; Wikipedia notes captive individuals living up to 5 years.
Looks how to spot one
Hard, waxy exoskeleton, wingless
A big, flat, wingless cockroach with a thick and glossy shell. Males carry two clear bumps or 'horns' on the plate behind the head and have thicker, hairier antennae than females.12
Personality what they are like
A gentle, unhurried insect that is active at night and prefers to stay out of the light. Males claim small personal territories and settle disputes by hissing and rising up on their legs, while females and young are relaxed about sharing space.21
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Mostly active after dark. They climb very well, so branches, cork bark and egg cartons give them room to explore.21
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
No grooming needed. Keep the enclosure clean of old food and droppings and provide places to hide. They can climb glass, so a secure lid matters; keepers often smear a thin band of petroleum jelly near the top as an extra barrier.1
Home where they are happiest
A modest, escape-proof tank kept warm, with hides such as bark or cardboard and items to climb. Mimic a humid forest floor rather than a dry desert.12
Food basics what goes in the bowl
A plant-based scavenger. In captivity they do well on fresh vegetables and fruit plus a protein-rich dry food such as pellets.12
Company who they like around
Happy in colonies. Several males together will spar over space, so give enough room and hiding spots; females and nymphs live together peacefully.2
The story where it all began
Scientists first named this cockroach in 1853 from Madagascan specimens, and its genus was set up in 1865. Its size, calm nature and unusual hiss have since made it a familiar pet and a regular on film and television.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It hisses by pushing air out through breathing holes (spiracles) on its abdomen, which is unusual among insects.1
- 2
Researchers recognise several different hisses, used for alarm, courtship, mating and fights between males.2
- 3
Mothers carry the egg case inside the body and give birth to live-looking nymphs, around 15 to 40 at a time.2
- 4
Young cockroaches moult six times over about 6 to 7 months before becoming adults.2
- 5
A tiny mite that often rides on these cockroaches helps by cleaning mould off its host.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Taxonomy (via Wikipedia)
- Described by Hermann Rudolph Schaum in 1853; the genus Gromphadorhina was set up by Carl Brunner von Wattenwyl in 1865.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Humidity checkevery 2 days
- Water dishevery 2 days
- FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
- Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
- Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
- Substrate changeevery 6 months
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Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- Madagascar hissing cockroach - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for description, hissing, care, history, fun facts
- Gromphadorhina portentosa - Animal Diversity Web (University of Michigan) animaldiversity.orgused for range, size, lifespan, behaviour, diet, reproduction
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.