Death Heads Cockroach – Blaberus Craniifer

Overview

A very large, beautiful cockroach, with a (suprisingly) “death heads” type pattern on it’s shell. Very similar to the “discoid cockroach”. Excellent for using as display insects due to their beauty. Adults can reach up to 3 inches long, with dark glossy wing cases. Young are quite different to adults, bearing a more red colouration to the adults.

Care

The death heads cockroach is very easy to look after, as with most species of cockroach. Similar to the hissing cockroach, they cannot climb the sides of glass/plastic tanks, which makes them must safer to keep in the home. Although they bare wings, they cannot actually fly either. As with their natural habitat in South American,
they require a rotting leaf/log type substrate, like that of a woodland or forest. A thick covering of soil or peat can be used as the main substrate, as the nymphs will bury themselves deep inside it. Logs, branches and dead leaves can be provided which the adults will usually rustle under. They will eat pretty much anything! But a staple diet of vegetables such as cabbage, cauliflower, carrot, etc, can be given, and also ceral based foods such as oats, cereal and bread. Cat.dog food can also be a favourite, but this can often smell in the enclosure. Temperatures of around 25c will do well, and spray the substrate every 3 days or so, to keep it slightly damp.

Other information

Cockroaches are often thought of as dirty creatures, but these are quite different. With their beauty mixed with a great rearing ease, they make great pets for the avid insect hobbyists.

Categorised in: Mantis

12 years ago