Can You Have a Cockroach As a Pet?
WouterIf you want to keep a cockroach as a pet, you will need to know some basic facts. First of all, cockroaches are social insects. It is best to keep them in small groups to prevent overcrowding and to reduce stress on your colony. Secondly, you should know that most cockroach species cannot reproduce well in captivity.
Cockroaches can live up to 5 years and are not considered cuddly pets. However, some species are more tolerant of humans, and some of them are even comfortable with handling. For example, the Madagascar hissing roach is known for its habit of climbing on your fingers. They can also bite, although they usually bite softly.
There are almost four thousand species of cockroaches in the world. Only 25-30 species are considered pests, but the rest are harmless members of the earth’s fauna. Besides, some of these species can be great pets if they are properly housed. You will have to be prepared to deal with two main challenges: temperature and cage structure. Because most of them originate from tropical countries, they require a temperature around 25 degrees Celsius and a cage that is sturdy enough to prevent escape.
Cockroaches are great pets, but they are not suitable for everyone. Although they are generally not a good choice for households, some people find them to be a great low-maintenance, fun and affordable pet. There are some particularly beautiful species of cockroach, but they tend to be overlooked because they don’t look like pets. Before buying a cockroach as a pet, it’s important to learn as much as you can about them.
