Hissing cockroaches (picture warning)

**IRescue452** · 06-11-2011, 09:35 PM

I gots me some new family members. 8 hissing roaches for now. 4 boys and 4 girls, seperate cages by gender so no babies as of right now unless one is already pregnant and I don't see any signs. 1 or 2 are likely going to my friend since she always brings up how much she misses having them and wishes they were readily available around here again. I managed to find a reptile enthusiast who has a large colony and gave them to me for free. I didn't want to tell him that me and my friend paid $20 a pop when we had them as pets years ago. I didn't want him to laugh too death. I haven't named them all yet. Suggestions welcome.

Girls, the little one is Babyface or BeeBee

The two biggest girls, no names, the other girl I didn't get a pic is Sparkles

Babyface again

Girl with the longest feelers

Boy, none have names, still getting them used to handling because they were in a colony that was too large so they are quite aggressive

Boy stilting up on his legs and flicking his body to say "leave me alone"

Calmer boy likely to go to my friend because she had a very friendly, calm, large boy. She also may get a young boy, I have two boys who aren't quite full grown.

**Karen** · 06-11-2011, 11:16 PM

Cool, what about color-type names? Amber, Golda, Tourmaline, Citrine for the girls, Umber, Topaz, Carmine, and Copper for the boys?

**Suki Wingy** · 06-12-2011, 09:49 PM

I think they are so cool! What do they eat? What are their lifespans?

**IRescue452** · 06-13-2011, 05:05 PM

I do like the name Tourmaline for one of them.

They are eating kale dandelion greens and other veggies. The last owner fed them entirely on cat food, which makes them grow and breed faster but only results in a high protein roach suitable for whatever reptiles need that, but protein foods also make them stink. In the wild they would eat mostly vegetable matter.

They typicaly live 2-3 years. It usually takes about 6 months give or take to reach adult size, less time if they are in a warm and humid environment.