The Crusty Cockroach

The Cockroach is known as a pest, but here’s what

you don’t know about the Cockroach!

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History and General Facts

Cockroaches are one of the world’s oldest animals! Scientists have found fossils, the remains of an animal or plant that are saved inside a rock, of cockroaches that are around 250 million years old! Do you know how old 250 million years is?

Most cockroaches like to live in hot and humid places. They

love tropical places, like Florida and Hawaii. They like to live outdoors if it is warm, so

they like the northern United States in the summer, but in the winter when it is cold outside they live in the buildings of humans!

Species

There are many species of cockroaches in the world. Species is another word for types or kinds. Only some species of cockroaches live in the United States, most live in Texas.

Only three kinds can live inside our homes. They are called the German cockroach, the Oriental cockroach and the American cockroach.

The American Cockroach

Another name for the American cockroach is the waterbug. They can live anywhere from 100-600 days! They can find their way into practically anything! They usually like large buildings like restaurants and grocery stores over homes because there is so much food for them to eat. In the summer they often move to the outdoors in alleys and yards.

The German Cockroach

Total United States

Texas Live in

Homes

Species Number

3,500 57 32 3

The German cockroach is the most common specie of cockroach and can be found all over the world! On top of being a

pest for your house and your food, they also can spread germs and disease! They eat everything, even things that aren’t food! They love to live in kitches and bathrooms, but also like places where people eat and drink like dining rooms and living rooms. They like to find small holes and spend most of their time there!

The Oriental Cockroach

The Oriental cockroach is actually not from Asia, but northern Africa, and now lives all over the world! It is also called the black bettle. Female Oriental cockroaches live around 30-180 days while male Oriental cockroaches live anywhere from 110-160 days. They are among the toughest cockroaches, and can live for weeks in freezing weather because they enjoy the outdoors more. They eat everything and are also the most ‘smelly’ of cockroaches because they smell so strong and because they eat garbage.

Interesting Facts!

Cockroaches have at least

18 knees! Cockroaches can hold their

breath for 40 minutes!

Cockroaches can live 1 week without a head!

Young cockroaches only need a crack the width of

3

.55mm to fit. (That’s the width of a dime!)

References"Amazing Roach Facts." Ed. Discovery

Communications Inc.

"Cartoon Cockroach."

"Tropical Picture."

Turpin, Tom. "History of the World:

Cockroaches were there."

"Welcome to the World of Cockroaches."

"Welcome to the World of the American

Cockroach."

"Welcome to the World of the German

Cockroach."

"Welcome to the World of the Oriental

Cockroach."

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