Madagascar Hissing Roach/ AKA "Hissers" (Gromphadorhina portentosa)

Madagascan or Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches are the roach hobby's most popular insect pet. Often called hissers, these roaches are also very popular as feeders for reptiles. Other, softer-bodied roach species are available, including the Orange Head Roaches (Eublaberus posticus) and Discoid Roaches (Blaberus discoidalis). These two species breed much more quickly.

These are the most popular roach species for several reasons. First, like other roaches, they are completely safe to hold. Unlike other roaches they can make a hissing sound by forcing air out of their "spiracles" (small holes along the sides of the abdomen through which they breathe). Males are territorial, increasing their interest to some hobbyists, though they still do very well in colonies of hundreds (adequately large caging taken into consideration). Most hobbyists stack egg crates in their cages. This provides additional surface area to sustain larger populations. G. portentosa has a habit of clumping together to the point that many can fit into cramped quarters with no problems.

Female Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches don't have the prominent bumps on the pronotum section of the thorax that males do. The pictures below illustrate the difference between males and females. Young nymphs lack these "horns", as they're called, making differentiation of the sexes more difficult.

Other hissers species include the following:

Aeluropoda insignis, Elliptorhina chopardi, Gromphadorhina grandidieri, Gromphadorhina oblongata, Princisia vanwaerebecki (Princisia is not recognized as a valid genus by some taxonomists)

Females (absence of large bumps on head)

Males (note "horns" on pronotum)