The Madagascar hissing cockroach is all hiss and no sting. Its alarm hiss, which sounds like a loud snake hiss, is the cockroach's attempt to scare off intruders. The male cockroach also uses distinct hisses to attract a mate and to intimidate other male cockroaches.

When defending their territory from other males, these cockroaches will hiss, push, and shove, and stand on their "toes" to show who's boss. The male that is larger and hisses more usually wins.

With their thick and waxy exoskeletons, Madagascar hissing cockroaches may look like big pests, but they're actually important to the health of the rain forest.

As they grow, young Madagascar hissing cockroaches molt - or shed their exoskeletons - approximately six times in six months. They are vulnerable to predators during this short time because until their keratin hardens, they turn completely white, making them highly visible.

Click HERE for a video of this process.

Here are a few interesting facts about Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches.

• It is one of the largest species of cockroach in the world. Adults grow to be between two and four inches long!

• Unlike most cockroaches, these are wingless.

• Their average life span is from 2 to 5 years.

• They are detritivores, which means they eat decaying plant material and animal carcasses. They recycle nutrients back into the ecosystem.

• These recycling critters are available to check out for a 2-week period through the Living Science Material Center CO-OP page to help enhance teaching activities or to keep as a classroom pet.