# Surinam Cockroach (*pycnoscelus surinamensis*) The Surinam Cockroach is a fascinating insect that loves to hide in dark places. They are often found in groups and can even glide short distances when they jump! - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 4 - **Habitat:** Surinam Cockroaches are typically found in warm, humid environments such as forests and under leaf litter. - **Also known as:** Flying Cockroach, Gliding Cockroach, Surinam Roach ![Surinam Cockroach](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Pycnoscelus_surinamensis11.jpg&width=800) Photo: Steve Kerr, CC BY 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pycnoscelus_surinamensis11.jpg) ## Appearance The Surinam Cockroach is a shiny, dark brown to black insect with a distinctive yellowish-orange, shell-like shield (pronotum) covering its head. Its body is broadly oval, flattened, and features fully developed wings that typically extend beyond the abdomen, though it is primarily a burrowing species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Blattodea - **Family:** Blaberidae - **Genus:** Pycnoscelus ## Interesting facts - Almost every Surinam Cockroach you find is a female, as males are super rare! - Their babies hatch \*inside\* the mother's body, not from outside eggs! - These insects can hide deep underground, sometimes up to a foot beneath the surface! - They munch on decaying leaves, helping to recycle nutrients back into the soil! ## Special abilities - **Self-Cloning Supermom:** Surinam Cockroach can reproduce without a male because of parthenogenesis that helps them quickly colonize new areas. - **Dirt Diver:** Surinam Cockroach has strong, spiky legs that help them tunnel through soil and leaf litter for shelter and food. - **Night Glider:** Surinam Cockroach can fly short distances, helping them escape danger or find new food sources at night. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 30-40 mm - **Size:** 18-25 mm - **Lifespan:** 240-365 days - **Leg Count:** 6 - **Colony Size:** 50-500 ## Diet & Feeding These busy insects are detritivores, munching on decaying plants and organic matter. - **Primary Foods:** Decaying leaves, Rotting wood, Fungi, Decaying fruits, Plant roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Common Shrew](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-shrew) (*Sorex araneus*) — preys on ground insects - **Eats:** [Tomato](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tomato) (*Solanum lycopersicum*) — can damage plant roots - **Eats:** [White Oak](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-oak) (*Quercus alba*) — decomposes fallen leaves ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Decomposer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/decomposer): Describes organisms that break down dead organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [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 Always wash your hands after handling insects. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Surinam 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 Surinam Cockroach's wingspan? 30-40 mm ### How big is Surinam Cockroach? 18-25 mm ### How long does Surinam Cockroach live? 240-365 days ### What does Surinam Cockroach eat? These busy insects are detritivores, munching on decaying plants and organic matter. ### Where is Surinam Cockroach usually found? Surinam Cockroaches are typically found in warm, humid environments such as forests and under leaf litter. ### How does Surinam Cockroach hunt? Foraging ### How many legs does Surinam Cockroach have? 6 ## Where to spot - [Commerce Street Residential Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/commerce-street-residential-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [East Commerce Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/east-commerce-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [San Antonio Missions National Historical Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/san-antonio-missions-national-historical-park) — Texas, US · National Park - [Crowley Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/crowley-historic-district) — Louisiana, US · Historic District - [Fort Dale-College Street Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fort-dale-college-street-historic-district) — Alabama, US · Historic District - [Kanapaha Botanical Gardens](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/kanapaha-botanical-gardens) — Florida, US · Botanical Garden [View all places to see Surinam Cockroach](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/surinam-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: [Surinam Cockroach: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/surinam-cockroach)