Why Do Cockroaches Not Die?
WouterWhen cockroaches are attacked by a predator, they are often killed. But if you think about it, they are not truly dead. Their body is rounded, with only six legs. This allows them to squeeze into tiny cracks and crevices and hide there. However, this makes them prone to tipping over if they don’t have support.
The body of a cockroach consists of a series of tubes and holes where it can breathe. Cockroaches don’t rely on blood circulation to transport oxygen, which is a common misconception. Cockroaches also have mini brains in each segment of their body to handle their sensory input. As such, if a cockroach is decapitated, it will stay alive for weeks if it doesn’t die from starvation.
Another interesting fact about cockroaches is that they do not bleed when they die. This is because their circulatory system is open, unlike ours, which is surrounded by closed arteries and veins. Therefore, the blood doesn’t pump under pressure like ours does. Instead, it sloshes around in the tissues of the cockroach’s body.
It is also possible for cockroaches to re-enter the same body without dying. This may occur as a result of physical injury. If they are stomped, the impact may cause the cockroach to collapse or run away, but it is not enough to kill it. It could be that the cockroach is recovering from shock and regaining its wits.
