Cockroach

Cockroaches

Cockroaches are related closely to grasshoppers and crickets. There are over 2,000 species found throughout the world. They have a flattened, slippery body, shiny, leathery case, bristle-covered long legs, and long antennae. Cockroaches are one of the runners among insects. Garbage, food, bookbindings, and other insects such as bedbugs provide food for them. They are dirty and spread germs on everything they touch. They also dislike light and reproduce in dirty, damp places.

The cockroach in the picture at the right was photographed in our teacher's house. It was moving very slowly because it had been poisoned. In Shell everybody has cockroaches no matter how clean they keep their house. Some species down here can grow up to five inches long. They are called shoots in Shuar (the Shuar are an indian tribe). The one you see here is only about an inch and a half long without the antennae.

One day when Mr. H was teaching this little cockroach ran out of his book.

A Baby Cockroach