Can a Cockroach Jump?
WouterOne question that often comes up is “can a cockroach jump?” Cockroaches have wings, and while they can jump short distances, most don’t use them to fly. While some species do fly, like the Smoky Brown Cockroach, jumping is not a common behavior. They use their legs to propel themselves forward and can spread their wings when they are in danger.
Cockroaches are not able to jump as high as a grasshopper, and they can only jump a few centimeters in height. A leaproach can jump 11.6 centimeters in height, and a female can jump nine centimeters. While this is an impressive leap, most other cockroaches are unable to achieve that high a jump, because their hind legs do not have the same motor functions and lack the resilin protein between their joints.
However, one newly discovered cockroach is able to jump. The species is different from all other species in the world, and it has been observed to jump in its natural habitat. The researchers discovered that the cockroach can jump by rapidly extending the hind legs, which account for about 10 percent of its body weight. During this leap, the cockroach experienced a force of 23 times gravity, which is a remarkable feat for an insect of that size.
The jumping cockroach has been discovered in South Africa. It is only known from the Late Jurassic period and is native to the African continent. Until this discovery, the jumping cockroach was virtually unknown to humans. It had only been seen in South Africa. Although there are other species of cockroaches that jump, the jumping roach has been a relatively rare discovery.
