Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Care

[Chris52]

Hello! I am considering getting a Madagascar hissing cockroach in the future. I have found quite a few sources on how to start a colony, but very few on how to keep one or a few. I have a couple questions on care for these.

1. Can you keep just one on its own?
2. What size container would comfortably house one for its entire life?
3. What substrate should you use?
4. What is a healthy diet for them?
5. Can they climb glass or plastic?

Thanks!

 

[Hisserdude]

Hi, you should definitely get into keeping roaches, it is very fun! My first roach pet was a male hisser, he was a blast to keep!
1. Yes you can, however I believe they like company.
2. A standard shoe box that you can get at any Dollar Tree is a good sized container for a hisser, though a small nymph could get out. I assume you are starting out with an adult?
3. Coconut fiber is the one of the best substrates you can use for roaches.
4. Dog food, fruits and veggies make a great roach diet.
5. Yes, hissers are great climbers. You have to keep a tight lid on their cage.

Hope this helps!

 

[Tenevanica]

Yep, do what @Hisserdude says! Anything that's twice the roaches body in height or width will work. These don't need much space at all.

 

[Dark]

The more the merrier, substrate is nice but not vital. You can smear vaseline an inch wide all around the rim of the cage to discourage escaping, they can't get past the vaseline border.

 

[Chris52]

Hi, you should definitely get into keeping roaches, it is very fun! My first roach pet was a male hisser, he was a blast to keep!
1. Yes you can, however I believe they like company.
2. A standard shoe box that you can get at any Dollar Tree is a good sized container for a hisser, though a small nymph could get out. I assume you are starting out with an adult?
3. Coconut fiber is the one of the best substrates you can use for roaches.
4. Dog food, fruits and veggies make a great roach diet.
5. Yes, hissers are great climbers. You have to keep a tight lid on their cage.

Hope this helps!

That helps a lot! Thank you!

 

[Chris52]

The more the merrier, substrate is nice but not vital. You can smear vaseline an inch wide all around the rim of the cage to discourage escaping, they can't get past the vaseline border.

Okay. I will try Vaseline. Thank you!