Representatives of these insects have been living on earth for 300 million years, which is not surprising, because cockroaches are considered the most tenacious creatures on the planet. Today there are already more than three thousand types of them, each of which has its own individual characteristics. As a rule, cockroaches reach a length of 2-3 cm, but among them there are much larger individuals.
Madagascar cockroach
This cockroach species is correctly called Gromphadorhina portentosa. The second name of the Madagascar cockroach is a giant hissing cockroach, which he received because of its huge size and the ability to hiss like a snake during mating games and danger. It is considered the largest representative of the cockroach species today, its average body length is 7 cm, but there are individuals whose size reaches 10 cm.
Madagascar cockroaches are wingless individuals of brownish-yellow color. Males have fewer females, but they have two raised horns on their chest, which they use to clarify relations with other representatives of this species. The average life span of these nocturnal inhabitants is 2-3 years. They live in tree trunks and forest floor, near human habitation.
In Madagascar, the homeland of these cockroaches, they are eaten or made the object of gambling games such as cockroach racing.
Rhino cockroach
Another representative of these insects, the rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia rhinoceros), can argue with the Madagascar cockroach in size. Individual individuals of this species can reach a length of 8 cm and a weight of 35 grams. Such giant cockroaches live in Australia, mainly in the north of Queensland. The rhinoceros cockroach got its name due to its ability to break deep and long tunnels.
By the way, representatives of this species are the only ones of all cockroaches that can equip their home underground.
The lifespan of a rhinoceros cockroach reaches 10 years. They are brownish-red in color, feed on fallen eucalyptus leaves and are unable to travel long distances. Representatives of this species are often kept in captivity by insect lovers due to the fact that rhino cockroaches do not have an unpleasant smell and like to be clean.
Dead head cockroach
Another representative of giant cockroaches is a dead head cockroach (Blaberus craniifer), whose sizes vary from 5 to 8 cm. It is quite easy to recognize it by its black-cream color and unusual pattern - a skull of a slightly irregular shape is depicted on the back. It is because of him that this species received such a name.
The habitat of the dead head cockroach is located in the north of South America, Panama and the islands of the Caribbean. In nature, he lives in rainforests or dark caves. Despite the presence of wings, these cockroaches do not fly, but they glide perfectly when falling.
