Peppered cockroach (Archimandrita tesselata)

Short answers

Peppered cockroach: How big does the enclosure need to be?

40×30×30 cm.

Peppered cockroach: What temperature does it need?

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

Peppered cockroach: Does it need UVB lighting?

UVB: Not required.

Peppered cockroach: How long do they live?

Life expectancy: 2–4 years.

Peppered 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

70–80 %

UVB

Not required

Enclosure

Minimum size

40×30×30 cm

Substrate

Coco humus with a thick layer of leaf litter, cork bark

Feeding

Food

Fruit, vegetables, fish food, oat flakes

Feeding interval

2–3×/week

Key facts

Adult size

6–8 cm

Life expectancy

2–4 years

Origin

Central America

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

One of the largest cockroaches in captivity, and live-bearing. It cannot climb glass – a lid is recommended all the same. A popular feeder animal and display animal in one.

Do you keep this species?

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

Look for Peppered cockroach (Archimandrita tesselata) in the marketplace →

Related species

• Dubia roach (Blaptica dubia) – Beginner
• Domino cockroach (Therea bernhardti) – 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
• Orange-headed cockroach (Eublaberus posticus) – Beginner

All species in the care wiki →

What you need to start

To keep Peppered cockroach (Archimandrita tesselata) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (40×30×30 cm), substrate (Coco humus with a thick layer of leaf litter, cork bark), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.