Giant hissing cockroach (Princisia vanwaerebeki)

Short answers

Giant hissing cockroach: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×30×30 cm.

Giant hissing cockroach: What temperature does it need?

Daytime 25–30 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 21–24 °C.

Giant hissing cockroach: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Giant hissing cockroach: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 2–5 years.

Giant hissing cockroach: Is it suitable for beginners?

Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).

Climate

Daytime temperature

25–30 °C

Night temperature

21–24 °C

Basking spot

No basking spot

Humidity

60–75 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×30 cm

Substrate

Coco humus with leaf litter, cork bark, egg cartons

Feeding

Food

Fruit, vegetables, dry food

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

7–9 cm

Life expectancy

2–5 years

Origin

Madagascar

Protection status

Not listed under CITES

Brumation

None

Cohabitation

Group housing. These animals naturally live in groups and cope poorly alone. One colony per enclosure, never combine two colonies - strange animals are not readily accepted. Watch food and humidity as the colony grows.

Notes

The largest hissing cockroach in captivity, with strong horns on the male. The males fight for rank but rarely injure each other. Very long-lived and robust.

Do you keep this species?

Add your animal to Reptoria – Reptoria reminds you about feeding and shedding. Add your animal for free →

Look for Giant hissing cockroach (Princisia vanwaerebeki) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Dubia roach (Blaptica dubia) – Beginner
• Domino cockroach (Therea bernhardti) – Beginner
• Peppered cockroach (Archimandrita tesselata) – Beginner
• Green banana cockroach (Panchlora nivea) – Beginner
• Halloween hissing cockroach (Elliptorhina javanica) – Beginner
• Domino cockroach (Therea petiveriana) – Beginner
• Glowspot cockroach (Lucihormetica subcincta) – Intermediate
• Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Giant hissing cockroach (Princisia vanwaerebeki) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×30 cm), substrate (Coco humus with leaf litter, cork bark, egg cartons), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.