How Big Does a Cockroach Get?

A cockroach may be a small pest, but it’s actually not as small as you might think. It can grow to be nearly three inches long. The longest known species is the Central American giant cockroach, which can be up to three inches long. The heaviest cockroach is the Australian rhinoceros cockroach, which can weigh more than an ounce at adult length. And these creatures are not just pests; they also make good pets in the United States.

The cockroach has six legs and can cover a distance equivalent to 50 times its body length in a second. That’s more than twice as fast as a human, whose running speed is about two hundred miles per hour. Nonetheless, cockroaches are not the biggest pests.

In addition to food, cockroaches are omnivores. They feed on a variety of materials, including rotting fruit, decaying leaves, fungi, and algae. They also feed on crumbs and pet food that’s left unattended.

Cockroaches molt several times during their lifecycles. They are born as nymphs and will spend their first few months in this stage seeking out food. Eventually, they’ll complete six or seven instars and mature to become adults. The entire lifecycle can last anywhere from four months to a year, depending on the environment.