How Can Cockroaches Turn Over?
WouterCockroaches can survive without a head. Unlike their country cousins, they can’t recover from death, but they can live for up to six months without feeding. Because they are unable to escape their natural predators, cockroaches often live out their entire lives indoors. The smooth surfaces in our homes also make it difficult for old insects to flip over upright. Instead, they end up on their backs where they die.
Cockroaches have long legs and a high center of gravity. This helps them balance themselves. They can hide in crevices and cracks, but their legs tend to weaken as they age. If they fall, they will have a difficult time getting up again.
Cockroaches do not drown or swim, but they can stay submerged in water for up to 40 minutes. Cockroaches breathe through holes in their bodies. Although they don’t have a mouth, they hold their breath to prevent water from entering their bodies. This helps them stay submerged longer.
Insecticides used to kill cockroaches usually contain neurotoxins. The poison interferes with the communication between their nervous system and muscles, causing them to turn over. Normally, healthy roaches can easily turn over on their own, but intoxicated cockroaches can’t. If this happens to a cockroach, it will most likely stay on its back and die.
