You may think cockroaches are just pests that you never want to see in your home, but there’s a lot more to these little creatures.
There are over 4,500 different species of cockroaches in the world. Only a small handful are the kinds that you’d find crawling around in your pantry or underneath the sink. Many Americans have a general distaste for cockroaches, but we’re here to dispel that today.
In this post, we’re going to look at a few of the most interesting cockroaches out there. We’ll look at their living habits, what they eat, and a few common characteristics that they share. If you’ve been cockroach-averse, keep reading and you’ll see that they’re not so bad after all.
Death’s Head Cockroach
The death’s head cockroach is one of the easier species to care for. A lot of people wonder, “What do cockroaches eat?” or “Do cockroaches need humidity?”
When it comes to the Death’s Head, you don’t need to worry too much about any of it. They’ll eat fruit, vegetables, grains, and even dog food. They don’t seem to care whether their environment is overly humid, and, as long as it’s at least 70°, they’ll be fine.
Death’s Head roaches grow to around 2 inches, which makes them great for handling. They’re docile, but they can fly, so you need to be careful when taking them out of their enclosure.
Madagascar Hissing Cockroach
Madagascar hissing cockroaches are some of the most popular in the world for keeping as pets. They’re known for the loud hissing noise that they make when mating or threatened, but fear not, they won’t sting or bite.
You can keep a single hissing cockroach in something as small as a shoebox, but colonies should be kept in aquariums or tanks. Like the Death’s Head roach, these creatures also are not picky, but it’s always good to learn more about their eating habits and temperature preferences.
Dubia cockroaches are popular, but more as a feeder. They don’t mind a crowded enclosure, so you can keep a good-sized colony in the home. They’re also unlikely to escape due to poor climbing skills and an inability to fly.
You can feed the Dubia cockroach almost anything, including cloth and paper, but fruits and vegetables are always a better choice. If you want your colony to breed, it’s best to keep the temperature between 72-90°.
Cave Cockroach
Another common question from new owners is, “Do cockroaches bite?”
Most cockroach species are docile and easy to handle. The only one on this list that could give you a small bite is the Cave cockroach. This large 3.3-inch species is native to South American caves, so placing them in an enclosure in your home can be stressful for them.
They can eat a wide variety of fruits and veggies, but you should keep leaves and rotting wood around as well. These things should also act as hiding places for them, and the enclosure should be kept in the dark—they don’t like light.
Which Types of Cockroaches Appeal to You?
These are a few of the most popular cockroaches to keep in the home. As long as you’ve got the right enclosure, some darkness, and good food to eat, they can make for great low-maintenance pets.
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