Cockroaches Survive Nuclear Radiation

Cockroaches have a remarkable ability to survive nuclear radiation. They can withstand doses of five to ten rems of radiation. These exposures can cause tissue damage and even death in some cases. While humans aren’t likely to survive the first blast, cockroaches can survive and even breed after exposures to nuclear radiation.

Cockroaches are notoriously difficult to kill and some say that their robust exoskeletons are strong enough to withstand nuclear radiation. This is because their exoskeletons are made from overlapping plates connected by stretchy membranes. This allows them to distribute their weight equally across their legs and body.

Insects can also withstand a nuclear blast. Some species can withstand radiation of up to one million rads without mutating. However, they are less resistant to the effects of high-dose radiation than other animals. Interestingly, though, there are some examples of insects that were discovered to survive a rat-size dose of radiation.