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The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) may be the best starter choice for a cockroach. It grows to 3 inches and lives for 2 to 3 years on average. Madagascar hissing cockroaches are common, harmless and easy to breed. They also make good prey items for other invertebrates and reptiles. The following steps will help you care for this popular species.

Difficulty: Moderate

Use a 2 1/2- to 15-gallon tank. The Madagascar hissing cockroach lives communally, so the size of the tank will be determined by the number you are keeping. This species is wingless, but you should smear a 2-inch-wide band of petroleum jelly around the inside of the tank to prevent escape

Keep the enclosure for these cockroaches warm (70 to 85 degrees) if you do not want them to breed and humid (75 to 80 percent). Breeding colonies must be kept at 85 to 95 degrees. Humidity should be monitored and can be increased by covering the top of the enclosure with plastic wrap.

Provide almost any fruits and vegetables for food. Their favorites include apples, carrots and lettuce. Use a chick drinker for the water supply.

Put the nymphs (young cockroaches) in a separate container if you are trying to increase your population. Be sure to put paper towels in the drinker ring to prevent them from drowning.