Surviving on Earth for 300 million years, cockroaches can live almost anywhere and will eat just about anything. These creatures like to hide in small cracks and crevices and sneak out to grab any meal they can find. They lay their eggs in protective cases, which help ensure that billions of offspring will carry on the species. Cockroaches will probably outlast the human race, as well as many other species.
Warning! Cockroaches have tiny hairs all over their legs, abdomens and antennae. Each of these hairs are sensors that pick up on vibrations from the ground and in the air. The vibrations tell the roach when enemies are near.
Slick: These insects feel slimy to the touch because a thin coat of wax and oil covers their bodies. This coating keeps moisture inside a cockroach's body so it doesn't dehydrate.
Planet Cockroach[]
Some moms carry their egg-cases.
Fossil evidence shows that cockroaches have crawled on land for at least 300 million years, long before dinosaurs ruled the Earth, and they won't be leaving anytime soon. These insects have flat bodies that allow them to crawl into tight cracks to avoid predators and other enemies, including people who are eager to kill them. Plus, cockroaches are fast-their legs are long and muscular so the insects can run from danger and slip into a hiding spot where an attacker can't follow.
On the Menu: These insects will lap up a spot of grease on a kitchen counter as hungrily as they munch on scraps of food and even the bodies of dead animals. Cockroaches even survive by eating cardboard, glue, shoe polish and other inorganic matter.
Multiplication: Female roaches mate only once in their lives, but lay several egg-cases, each containing up to 30 eggs, every couple of weeks. About half of the eggs develop well enough to hatch, which is more than enough to keep the 4,000 species thriving.
Germ Warfare[]
- A group of cockroaches hungrily munch on the decaying body of a rat in a back alley, crawling all over the dead rodent, and picking up a host of germs and bacteria.
- One cockroach picks up smells from a nearby restaurant. The insect follows the trail, easily sliding under the outer door to enter the kitchen.
- The roach finds a plate of food and jumps on, spreading bacteria from the rat it ate earlier. The roach scurries away as a waiter grabs the plate and serves it to a customer.
Trading Card[]
Trivia[]
- The knowledge card says Cockroaches. The trading card says Cockroach.
- Cockroaches are mentioned on several other cards:
- Cockroaches are listed for prey on the card for Black Widow Spider.
- It is also mentioned as prey for the Redback Spider, and appears as prey in an illustration the Tailless Whip Scorpion knowledge card.
- Based on the markings around the tops of the wings of the cockroach, the illustration is either an American Cockroach (Periplaneta americana) or an Australian Cockroach (Periplaneta australasiae).