Wide-horned Hissing Cockroach

Wide-horned Hissing Cockroach key facts

Care level

Intermediate

Lifespan

3-5 years

Size

7.6-8cm

Temperature

24〜29℃

Diet

Vegetables, fruit, grains, prepared insect food, dried hardwood leaves

Temperature & Humidity

Keep at 24-29 C. The species is not fussy about air humidity, but avoid extreme dryness to prevent moulting problems.

Enclosure

All life stages can climb glass, so a secure lid or a climbing barrier is essential. Provide generous vertical space with bark or egg crates.

Diet & Feeding

Combine vegetables and fruit with grains or prepared insect food, plus dried hardwood leaves. A varied diet gives the most prolific colonies.

Temperament & Venom

No venom and no biting. When disturbed it hisses by forcing air through abdominal spiracles, which is a threat display and harmless.

Notes

It is hard to distinguish from G. portentosa and hybrid stock circulates in the trade. Keep lines separate if pure stock matters. The specific name is often misspelt oblongata or oblongonata, so check for oblongonota when searching or reading labels.

About Wide-horned Hissing Cockroach

A large, wingless hissing cockroach from southern Madagascar with reddish-black banded markings and broad, horn-like ridges. It hisses by forcing air through its spiracles when disturbed, and its care is generally suited to intermediate keepers.

7 things to know before welcoming a Wide-horned Hissing Cockroach

1. 1Wingless and Flightless

   Even as adults, wide-horned hissing cockroaches never develop wings, so there's no risk of them flying away. They aren't strong climbers on smooth glass, but they are strong walkers, so a secure, well-fitted lid is still essential.

2. 2The Distinctive Hiss

   When startled or excited, it forces air out through the spiracles on its abdomen, producing a sharp hissing sound. This natural behavior is used for both warning off threats and courtship, and it doesn't involve biting or venom.

3. 3Broad Horn-Like Ridges

   Its name comes from the broad, horn-like ridge on the thorax, which tends to be especially pronounced in males. Comparing the size of this ridge can offer a rough clue for telling males and females apart.

4. 4Intermediate Care Level

   This species is rated as suited to intermediate keepers, calling for some familiarity with maintaining stable temperature and humidity and keeping a close eye on the enclosure. Even without prior roach-keeping experience, it's manageable once you have the basics down.

5. 5Temperature & Humidity

   They thrive in warm, humid conditions, so use a heat source to maintain temperature and mist the substrate regularly to keep humidity up. Keep the enclosure away from direct sunlight and air conditioning vents, where temperature swings could stress them.

6. 6Easy Omnivorous Diet

   They're omnivores that happily eat vegetable scraps, fruit, and commercial insect diets, so feeding is fairly low-maintenance. Keep a water source such as a hydration jelly on hand at all times, and remove leftover food regularly to prevent mold.

7. 7Group Housing & Prep

   Unlike the solitary image many people have of cockroaches, this species is fairly social and can be kept together in groups within the same enclosure. Adults reach roughly 7.6 to 8 cm, so it's wise to prepare a correspondingly roomy enclosure before bringing them home.

Frequently asked questions about Wide-horned Hissing Cockroach

Q.Is it safe to handle with bare hands?

A.It doesn't bite or carry venom, and its generally calm temperament makes it safe to handle with bare hands. When startled, it may hiss by forcing air out through its spiracles, so handle it gently and avoid sudden movements.

Q.Is the hissing sound noisy?

A.The hiss is a brief reaction triggered by disturbance, not a constant noise. It's a short burst tied to specific situations like warning off a threat or courtship, rather than a continuous sound like a bird's or insect's call.

Q.Can beginners keep this species?

A.Care is rated as suited to intermediate keepers, so some prior experience managing temperature and humidity is helpful. If you're completely new to keeping roaches, it's worth reviewing the basic care routine before bringing one home.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.Adults reach roughly 7.6 to 8 cm in length, making it one of the larger cockroach species kept as pets. It's a good idea to prepare a correspondingly roomy enclosure in advance, with its adult size in mind.

Q.Can it be kept together with others?

A.Because it's a fairly social species, multiple individuals can be housed together in the same enclosure. Just keep an eye on enclosure size and population density to avoid overcrowding.

Learn more about Wide-horned Hissing Cockroach in the encyclopedia

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