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Critter Highlight - Madagascar Hissing Cockcroaches (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

The Madagascar hissing cockroach is all hiss and no sting. Its alarm hiss, which sounds like a loud snake hiss, is the cockroach's attempt to scare off intruders. The male cockroach also uses distinct hisses to attract a mate and to intimidate other male cockroaches.

When defending their territory from other males, these cockroaches will hiss, push, shove, and stand on their "toes" to show who's boss. The male that is larger and hisses more, usually wins.

With their thick and waxy exoskeletons, Madagascar hissing cockroaches may look like big pests, but they're actually important to the health of the rain forest.

As they grow, young Madagascar hissing cockroaches molt (or shed their exoskeletons) approximately six times in six months. They are vulnerable to predators during this short time because until their keratin hardens, they turn completely white, making them highly visible.

Click HERE for a video of this process.

Here are a few interesting facts about Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches:

• It is one of the largest species of cockroach in the world. Adults grow to be between two and four inches long!
• Unlike most cockroaches, these are wingless.
• Their average life span is from 2 to 5 years.
• They are detritivores, which means they eat decaying plant material and animal carcasses. They recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

For more information about this and other animals, click on this student safe resource.

The recycling critters are available to check out for a 2-week period to help enhance teaching activities through the Living Science Material Center Co-Op page.

Product Spotlight

Egg Incubator with Automatic Egg Turner

This month's spotlight is on "Egg Incubator with Automatic Egg Turner".

This item is a 4-week checkout. It comes with a companion binder that includes a hatching guide, information on the 21 days of egg development, and egg related activities.

PRODUCT DETAILS:

• Built-in digital hygrometer and moisture channels help maintain humidity
• LCD with LED light shows accurate readings instantly
• Holds 41 large chicken eggs or up to 120 bantam or quail eggs when used with the Little Giant Automatic Egg Turner
• Two 4 in. by 8 in. viewing windows allow for monitoring the hatching process and for educational purposes
• An Automatic Egg Turner is included in this 4-week checkout

Sourcing Fertile Eggs

Fertile eggs are necessary for hatching chicks. Eggs sold in grocery stores are not fertile and cannot be hatched. Fertile eggs can be purchased locally from a farmer or through classified ads. Fertile eggs can also be purchased online from a hatchery or scientific supply store.

Fertile eggs should be incubated within 7–10 days after they are laid. Hatchability declines rapidly when incubation is delayed for more than 10 days. Until they are incubated, fertile eggs should be stored in cartons or cases - large end up - at 40° to 70°F with a relative humidity of about 75%. If the eggs are to be stored for more than 2 to 3 days before they are incubated, they should be rotated each day to prevent the yolks from sticking to the shells.

Local resources for acquiring fertile eggs for a successful hatching.

M&T Rabbitry & Poultry Farm SW San Antonio (toward LaCoste) Dan & Sylvia Jimenez, 210-827-5062 https://sanantoniorabbitsandchickens.com Call for directions to the farm 2 weeks prior to need. $2 - $3 per dozen

MT Animal Farm 137 Hwy 90, 7993 Coughran Road, Pleasanton, TX Mark or Tamy, 830-570-8413 Call 3-4 weeks prior to need. Free eggs.

In Schertz, TX

Angie, 210-849-0388. www.fowlrus.blogspot.com. Call 3–4 days prior to need. Rare show fowl. Many colors of eggs. $15 per dozen.

In San Antonio, TX

Cheri Tondre, 210-884-7894. ctondre1@saisd.net. Call 1–2 weeks prior to need. Free eggs.

About Living Science

Our goal is to positively impact classroom curriculum through high quality materials and customer service. For PUBLIC and PRIVATE/CHARTER school districts that have joined our CO-OP PROGRAM, the Living Science Center provides a variety of materials such as living organisms and non-living items giving teachers the ability to integrate into their lessons creating a fun, hands-on learning experience for students.

Living Science Shade House & Greenhouse

The Living Science Shade House is located behind building 2. The focal point of the Shade House is the Turtle Pond which is the home to over 40 Red Slider Turtles. These turtles are checked out on a 2 week basis to those schools which are members of our CO-OP PROGRAM.

Next to the Turtle Pond is the Greenhouse. Here we house various plants which we provide to our clients. They include Geraniums, Begonias, and two varieties of Coleus.

Available Materials

Orders must be placed ONLINE before 3 p.m., 48 hours prior to delivery or 24 hours prior to pickup.

Living Science. Not just for Science teachers!

ESC-20 Holidays

Labor Day, September 2

Thanksgiving, November 27-29

Winter Break, December 23-January 3

M.L. King Day, January 20

Spring Break, March 10-14

Good Friday, April 18

Battle of Flowers, May 2

Memorial Day, May 26

Independence Day, July 4

Holiday Cut Off Dates Reminder

Spring Break

The last day to order any 2 week check out animals before Spring Break will be Friday, February 21, 2025. We will resume deliveries on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. 

End of Year (Summer Break)

The last day to order any 2 week check out for any item before End of Year will be Friday, May 9, 2025

UPCOMING CENTER TRAINING

SAVE THE DATES!

SESSION #105627 4 THE LOVE OF LEARNING - CORE CONTENT CONFERENCE

SESSION #110077 EDUPHORIA'S AWARE & STRIVE DATA ANALYSIS

SESSION #102678 ECSE 101

SESSION #102657 ECSE PLC

SESSION #109270 SESSION #109271 TEXAS DYSLEXIA ACADEMY

SESSION #109819 CYBERSECURITY & SCHOOL SAFETY SUMMIT

SESSION #109832 STAAR REDESIGN: INTERACTIVE QUESTION TYPE CREATION IN EDUPHORIA'S AWARE

SESSION #100360 THE O.N.E. CONFERENCE FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD/ECSE 2025

Deliveries & Returns Information

Living materials are delivered within Region 20 by the ESC-20 Living Science Van on a weekly basis. Non Region 20 schools should check with their Regional Service Centers for delivery schedule.