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Madagascar hissing cockroach

Gromphadorhina portentosa

Classification: Insect

Lifespan: 6 months - 1 year

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Threats: Arachnids, ants, tenrecs, and some ground-feeding birds are likely predators

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Distribution: Madagascar off the African mainland

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Habitat: Forest floor

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Appearance: Madagascar hissing cockroach reach 5 - 7cm at maturity. These cockroaches are shiny brown and oval-shaped, with no wings and a single pair of antennae

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Diet & Feeding: Leaf litter, logs, and other detritus

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Social Behaviour: They are nocturnal and semi-communal. Males are territorial and have a hierarchy, but they are not social like ants

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Males and females: Males sport large horns, which give them an unusual and impressive appearance

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Number of young: Females lay and carry upto 60 eggs inside their bodies

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Interesting fact: The hiss happens when they exhale air through their breathing holes

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