Madagascar Hissing Cockroach

Tropical rainforests of Madagascar, living in rotten logs and leaf litter

Detritivore; consumes decaying plant material, fallen leaves, and fruit

Flightless and nocturnal; produces a loud hissing sound by expelling air through abdominal spiracles for defense, courtship, and territorial displays

Harmless to humans as they do not bite or sting; highly beneficial decomposers in tropical ecosystems and widely kept as educational pets and research subjects