Hissing Sid and his mates

I know that everyone just loves a cockroach and so I thought that I would share these splendid Madagascar hissing cockroachs (Gromphadorhina portentosa), with you. As you might have guessed, they come from the Indian Ocean island of Madagascar.

Hissing cockroaches are a large species, about 3 inches in length and so-named because of their ability to hiss by forcing air through the breathing pores (spiracles) on each segment of their thorax and abdomen. No other insect can hiss in this exact manner; most insects that make a "hissing" sound do so by rubbing together various body parts. You can listen to the hiss and learn much more besides, here.

Hissing cockroaches make fine pets, if you happen to enjoy such company.