The Madagascar hissing cockroach is brown in color, with a much darker head and legs.

The body is flat and oval shaped, and they have very large antennae, but no wings. Males can be distinguished from females by the two large “horns” on the carapace by their head, which are used for fighting other males.

As their name suggests, they are able to make a loud hissing noise when they feel threatened. They do this by blowing air through holes on the sides of their bodies called spiracles. Hissing cockroaches are detritivores that forage on decaying plant material.

They will also eat small insects and animal carcasses. This makes them a vital part of the ecosystem, as they take on the role of “clean-up crew” in the forests.