# American Cockroach (*Periplaneta americana*) The American Cockroach is a large, brown insect that loves warm places. They are fast runners and can even fly short distances! They often come out at night to find food. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 20 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Palmetto Bug ![American Cockroach](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/American-cockroach.jpg&width=800) Photo: Gary Alpert, CC BY 2.5 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:American-cockroach.jpg) ## Appearance The American Cockroach is a large, reddish-brown insect with a distinct yellowish margin on its pronotum, located behind its head. Its flattened, oval body and long antennae distinguish it from smaller, darker species. Both sexes have fully developed wings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Blattodea - **Family:** Blattidae - **Genus:** Periplaneta ## Interesting facts - A single female cockroach can lay over 150 eggs in her lifetime! - Cockroaches have been on Earth for over 300 million years! - Their antennae are always wiggling to smell and feel their surroundings! - They can hold their breath for up to 40 minutes underwater! ## Special abilities - **Super Speed:** The American Cockroach can run incredibly fast, covering up to 50 body lengths per second to escape predators. - **Flexible Form:** American Cockroaches have an exoskeleton that helps them squeeze through tiny cracks and crevices quickly. - **Extended Survival:** American Cockroaches can live for a week or more without their head because they breathe through body segments. - **Chemical Senses:** American Cockroaches use their long antennae to sense chemicals, finding food and mates even in darkness. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 40-55 mm - **Size:** 35-50 mm - **Lifespan:** 400-600 days - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding An opportunistic scavenger, eating almost anything organic it finds in its environment. - **Primary Foods:** Decaying organic matter, Starch, Sweets, Grease, Hair, Paper - **Foraging Method:** Scavenging ## Ecological connections - **Eats:** [Brown Rat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-rat) (*Rattus norvegicus*) — Rats prey on cockroaches when available. - **Eats:** [House Mouse](https://www.snappit.app/explore/house-mouse) (*Mus musculus*) — Mice consume cockroaches as a food source. - **Parasitizes:** Ensign Wasp (*Evania appendigaster*) — Wasp larvae develop inside cockroach egg cases. - **Parasitizes:** Cockroach Nematode (*Blatticola blattae*) — Nematodes live in the cockroach's gut. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Scavenger](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/scavenger): Scavengers consume dead organic matter, helping to decompose carcasses and other waste in the ecosystem. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low If you see a cockroach, it's best to leave it alone and tell an adult. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify American Cockroach? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is American Cockroach's wingspan? 40-55 mm ### How big is American Cockroach? 35-50 mm ### How long does American Cockroach live? 400-600 days ### What does American Cockroach eat? An opportunistic scavenger, eating almost anything organic it finds in its environment. ### Where is American Cockroach usually found? Urban areas ### How does American Cockroach hunt? Scavenging ### How many legs does American Cockroach have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Batesville East Main Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/batesville-east-main-historic-district) — Arkansas, US · Historic District - [Broadmoor](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadmoor) — Louisiana, US · Neighborhood - [Kahanu Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kahanu-garden) — Hawaii, US · Botanical Garden - [Mesa Grande](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/mesa-grande) — Arizona, US · Historic Site - [Miami Beach Botanical Garden](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/miami-beach-botanical-garden) — US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see American Cockroach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/american-cockroach) ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [American Cockroach: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-cockroach)