Madagascar Hissing cockroach perfectly still and slightly curled

[miss spoons]

Does this mean he's dead or is there anything I can do for him?

 

[winter]

Maybe? Probably? A bit more information or a picture will help forum members to help you. How old/large is the hisser? Does it move when you touch it or blow a puff of air at it?

 

[miss spoons]

I found him standing upright. I though he was stuck so I nudge him onto his front but he is perfectly still. No idea what happened.

 

[miss spoons]

Oh yeah as for age they are adults. I got them shipped to me in october. About an inch and a half i'd say

 

[winter]

He might be trying to molt and got stuck in the old skin. Give him another day or so, if still no movement, then it's probably dead.

 

[miss spoons]

So he definitely hasn't moved in days so I'm sure he's dead now. Is getting stuck in a molt something that happens often? Are the precautions to avoid it?

 

[winter]

Not sure if getting stuck in a molt is a common issue for hissing cockroaches. I keep them as feeders for my tarantulas so rarely pay attention to them other than the routine maintenance. It's rare for me to find any exuviae or dead cockroaches; I think the other members of the colonies eat the dead ones and the exuviae. I'm sure proper temperature/humidity/moisture are needed for them to thrive; but I find them very hardy and the colony has survived/thrived in my unheated garage for a few years with no attention paid to heating/cooling/misting.

As for age, I do not believe your hisser cockroach is an adult. It does appear to have the "horns" of a male; however, overall appearance/proportion is that of a juvenile so it's death was not likely due to old age.