Description

Wide Horn Hissing Cockroach

The Wide Horn Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina oblongonota) is an impressive Madagascan cockroach and one of the largest hissing cockroach species kept in captivity. Broad, heavily built and beautifully coloured in deep mahogany, brown and black, this is a fascinating invertebrate for keepers looking for something a little different.

Completely wingless and unable to fly, Wide Horn Hissing Cockroaches are nevertheless excellent climbers. Like other Madagascan hissers, they can produce their characteristic hiss by forcing air through specialised respiratory openings called spiracles.

Wide Horn Hissing Cockroach Care

Despite their formidable appearance, these are relatively straightforward invertebrates to keep. They appreciate a warm, well-ventilated enclosure with plenty of cork bark, branches and other textured surfaces providing both hiding places and climbing opportunities.

A secure enclosure is essential. Adults and nymphs are capable climbers, and youngsters can exploit surprisingly small gaps, so a tight-fitting, well-ventilated lid is important.

Provide a substrate such as coco fibre or a suitable naturalistic invertebrate substrate with leaf litter and cork bark over the surface. Rather than keeping the entire enclosure wet, aim for good ventilation while maintaining an area with some moisture so the cockroaches can choose the conditions they prefer. Experienced breeders report that G. oblongonota benefits from warmth, high ventilation and access to a humid area.

Size and Appearance

This is where Gromphadorhina oblongonota really stands out. Adults can reach around 8cm, with particularly impressive specimens exceeding this, making them among the largest of the commonly kept hissing cockroaches.

Adults develop rich dark mahogany to maroon colouring, while younger animals can show contrasting markings between the abdominal segments. Mature males develop the characteristic broad pronotal horns that give the species its common name. These are used during territorial encounters with other males.

Behaviour and Handling

Wide Horn Hissing Cockroaches are generally slow-moving and manageable, making them fascinating animals to observe at close quarters.

Their hiss may be produced when disturbed or threatened, while males also use hissing and physical displays during interactions with one another. Although occasional gentle handling is possible, they are best treated primarily as display animals and allowed to behave naturally within their enclosure.

They are wingless and cannot fly, but their ability to climb smooth surfaces means an open-topped enclosure is definitely not a clever idea.

Feeding

Wide Horn Hissing Cockroaches are omnivorous scavengers and should be offered a varied diet.

Fresh vegetables and occasional fruit can form an important part of the diet, alongside a good-quality dry food providing additional protein and nutrients. Carrot, leafy vegetables and apple are readily accepted examples. Remove uneaten fresh food before it begins to spoil or attract unwanted pests.

Fresh water should always be available, but avoid deep open water dishes in which smaller cockroaches could become trapped. A shallow dish, water crystals or moisture-rich foods can be used depending on the enclosure setup.

Keeping More Than One

Wide Horn Hissing Cockroaches can be kept in groups provided sufficient space, food and hiding places are available. Adult males can display territorial behaviour towards one another, so a larger enclosure with plenty of structure gives individuals space to retreat.

One particularly important consideration is hybridisation. Gromphadorhina oblongonota can hybridise with other Gromphadorhina, so different hissing cockroach species should be housed separately if maintaining correctly identified stock is important.

Why Keep a Wide Horn Hisser?

If the words “pet cockroach” haven’t already sent you running for the door, these are surprisingly charismatic animals.

Their enormous size, glossy mahogany colouring, distinctive hiss and unusual behaviour make them excellent display invertebrates. They’re particularly appealing to experienced invert keepers, but their relatively straightforward husbandry also makes them an interesting introduction to larger cockroach species.

And unlike many exotic insects, there are no wings to worry about — although their climbing ability more than compensates for that particular convenience.

If you have any questions about keeping the Wide Horn Hissing Cockroach (Gromphadorhina oblongonota), please contact us and a member of our friendly reptile team will be able to advise you.

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