How Far Can a Cockroach Fall Without Dying?

A cockroach has three pairs of legs and the ability to spread its wings and legs during a fall. This allows it to slow down its fall and avoid injury. A large roach can be injured if it falls too high and lands on a hard surface, but a smaller roach can survive a fall.

Cockroaches have the capacity to survive for several days without a food source or water. They breathe through holes in each segment of their bodies and don’t need a mouth to drink water. However, without food and water, a cockroach will eventually die. This feigning death is also true for some species of beetles. In fact, cockroaches are more closely related to termites, which have exoskeletons that protect them from predators and damage. In addition to this, they can survive for up to 50 days without food, and seven days without a head.

Because cockroaches have a very resilient exoskeleton, they are highly adaptable to various environments. A cockroach’s exoskeleton is strong but pliable, so it can shift its energy to its legs for running and can withstand forces up to 900 times its body weight.

Cockroaches fall on their backs and flip over on their sides, but they can’t always flip themselves back upright. Their long legs and slightly rounded exoskeletons make it difficult for them to get themselves back into an upright position.