Oct 4, 2007

Bison the Roach

Say hello to Bison the hissing cockroach. This beast recently matured in one of Jade's colonies. It measures in at 3.5 inches long by 2 inches wide, with 1/4 inch horns (ergo the name of Bison). I assume that a hissing cockroach of this size does more than hiss. I'm imagining something more of a roar.

BTW, that is Jade's better half, Rachel, holding the roach. She has more chutzpah than I do, no doubt.

Thanks for the photos, Jade. Keep tabs on this one, lest he should run rampant in Tokyo and contend with Godzilla.

12 comments:

Danielle Lea said...

Oh barf.

I hate cockroachs. I'm glad they don't live near me, I'd smoosh them all.

Anonymous said...

I don't like them either, but that is one impressive roach.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the blessed event! I think...

Does hissing roach maturity call for a Southwestern Money Dance, or something? I'd place a twenty on Bison, but he'd probably just eat it.

Nebulous Grey said...

Wow. Roaches have always had that draw for me - on the surface, they're pretty disgusting. But...These guys are so fascinating once you learn more about them. Any bug that's been around since the Carboniferous period deserves a little respect, right? ;)

Jade said...

Bison's a sweetie. He means no harm, but is is rather intimidating.

Oh, and yes. It's not a hiss. It's a roar. :)

Arachnophile said...

Hmmm... I thought I posted this already. Ah well.

Congrats Jade and Rachel. Once again you've supplied us with pictures of a truly superior creature. :)

I don't care what anyone says, THAT is one beautiful animal! Look at how it's put together! I could watch Bison just walk around for hours.

It reminds me of Terry Pratchett's, "The Last Continent." The apex of creation in that novel was a 'roach. There's something to that.

Around here, hissers are STRICTLY controlled but I see them on the net as pets all the time? Are the restrictions less tight in the states? Apparently they could do some real damage up here (in Canada). Do you need a special license for your brood menagerie Jade?

Nebulous Grey said...

I lovelovelove that book. Terry Pratchett is a god of satire...
This almost makes me wish roaches were more around up here in Minnesota. This site makes me want to sit down with one of those people that introduce you to various "creepy-crawlies" and explain aaaall about 'em for hours.
If only, if only....
:)

Arachnophile said...

Neb, anyone who loves the great TERRY that much is GOOD PEOPLE! ;)

Poor Ponder, he was so expecting to see the first Homosapian in the 'god of evolution's' lab. :D I'm glad he went back to U.U.

I wish there's a bunch of cool critters where I live too. Roaches are one of them but the list includes Mantids (of course), BIG spiders and fireflys. ;) Still we've got grizzlies and wolves so I guess I shouldn't complain too much. :D

Jade said...

Arachnophile- roaches were illegal in Florida completely. They were afraid they might establish. Hissers won't, though. It's too cold in the winter for them to survive. Either way, we still kept them and nine other species when we lived there.

We're in Oklahoma now and there are no laws on any bug pets out here. We now have everything we couldn't keep in Florida: roaches, millipedes, centipedes, scorpions, mantids, etc.

If you want hissers for pets, don't let local laws stop you. As long as you're responsible with them, as I'm sure you would be, no one will know and they'll make an awesome pet :)

Arachnophile said...

Thanks Jade! Someday when I'm not renting with people who forbid inverts of any shape or size I'll have one.:D

Jade said...

You didn't hear this from me: They're VERY easy to hide ;)

Arachnophile said...

LOL.

I already have 9 mammals living in my home, I'd better not push it. BUT SOOOOO TEMPTED!