Gromphadorhina portentosa “Madagascar hissing cockroach”

Madagascar Hissing Cockroach – Why It Hisses and How to Care for It

The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is a large, wingless cockroach native to Madagascar. During the day, it often hides under bark or in narrow crevices. It becomes more active at dusk and at night. That’s when you can watch it climb, search for food, and interact with other members of its group.

It gets its name from a clearly audible hiss. To produce this sound, it forces air through openings in its abdomen. Both sexes can hiss when disturbed. Males also use this sound when encountering rivals. It’s best to observe the animals in their terrarium, as hissing when handled may be a defensive reaction.

Setting Up a Terrarium for Madagascar Hiss Cockroaches

Hissing cockroaches can climb even on smooth glass surfaces. That’s why the terrarium needs a lid that closes securely and fine-mesh ventilation openings. Also check cable openings and cracks: What’s too narrow for an adult may be just wide enough for a juvenile.

• Provide several hiding spots: Arrange cork bark or pieces of bark so that the animals can retreat to different places.
• Create climbing surfaces: Place a few pieces of bark at an angle or upright and secure them so they don’t tip over.
• Control the temperature: Aim for about 25–29 °C in the warmer area. Also, leave a slightly cooler spot nearby for the animal to retreat to.
• Keep an eye on humidity and ventilation: Don’t let the substrate stay wet all the time. Check to see if there’s too much moisture in the tank, especially when the glass is fogged up.

Adjust the size of the terrarium to fit the group. If you’re keeping several males, separate hiding spots are especially useful, since the animals may compete for their favorite spots.

Food and water

Offer cockroach food in a shallow dish and supplement it with small portions of vegetables, such as carrots or zucchini. You can also give them a little fruit occasionally. Remove any damp leftovers promptly so they don’t get moldy or attract fruit flies.

Also, provide a clean source of water. If there are young animals in the terrarium, a wick-fed water dispenser is handy: it allows the animals to access water without having to climb into an open dish.

How can I tell the difference between males and females?

Adult males usually have two distinct ridges on their neck shield. In females, these are less pronounced. If you keep both sexes together, offspring may result. The females carry the egg mass inside their bodies and later give birth to young that have already hatched. Therefore, plan ahead to make room for the growing group.

You can find more information about care, feeding, and breeding in our care guide.

Accessories for Your Fauchschaben

Insektenliebe Cockroach Starter Kit – includes a ventilated box with substrate and cork bark as a base for setting up your enclosure. Adjust the size of the box to fit your group.

Cockroach food —suitable as a dry food that you can offer separately from fresh food.

Magnetic waterers —deliver water through a cotton pad, making them practical even for groups with young animals.

Insektenliebe Round Bowl – works well as a shallow feeding bowl. This way, you can remove vegetables and leftovers without having to search through the substrate.

Exo Terra Digital Thermometer and Hygrometer – helps you monitor the temperature and humidity in your pets’ enclosure.

Repto Heatmat with Thermostat – this is an option if the location is too cool and your tank is suitable for a heating mat. Heat only part of the tank so that a cooler hiding spot remains.

Bottom line: Things really come alive in the evening

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is an interesting choice if you want to observe the behavior of a group of cockroaches. A well-ventilated, securely sealed terrarium with bark hiding spots, appropriate temperatures, and fresh water provides the foundation. It’s especially worth taking a look inside the terrarium at dusk.