Bonjour, Pierre!
These hissing cockroaches are a Malagasy species found in mainly forested areas of Madagascar and are just one of some 4,500 species of cockroach in the world!
Males hiss by pushing air out of their spiracles (their breathing system), and will hiss to scare away predators when fighting. Bizarrely, they can live for up to two-and-a-half weeks without their heads!
The large cockroach at the front of the picture is called Pierre and lives in our Discovery Centre ask Presenters to point him out to you next time you’re on site.
Love Your Zoo Week encourages the public to visit their local BIAZA (British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums) zoos, aquariums and wildlife centres to discover brilliant and exciting projects that are happening right now on their doorstep . . .
