Death's Head Roach

Blaberus craniifer

RoachbeginnerHarmlessCommunal OK

No venom, no sting

Pet and feeder roaches are harmless to humans — no venom, no sting, and no meaningful bite. Wash your hands after handling.

About

A large, hardy display roach named for the skull-like marking on its pronotum. One of the easiest roaches to keep — colony-friendly with low aggression. Keep it warm (80-90°F breeds fastest) with a 50/50 humidity gradient: one moist half, one dry. All stages burrow, but provide vertical bark hides for the final molt to adult. Feed roach chow plus fruit and veg; moisture from produce/substrate, not a water dish (drowning risk). Harmless. Note: a strong climber — use a secure, vented lid.

Taxonomy

FamilyBlaberidae

GenusBlaberus

Native regionMexico, Central America, Caribbean

TypeTerrestrial

Temperamenthardy, docile; burrows

Size & growth

Adult size5-6 cm

Length53.00–57.00 mm

Growth ratemedium

Climate

Temperature75–90 °F

Humidity55–85%

Enclosure

Adult sizeventilated bin/tank with a secure lid

Substratecoco fiber/peat, moist on one side (50/50 gradient); bark & vertical hides

Substrate depth3-4 inches

Water dishOptional

Feeding

Feeding modeOmnivore

Prey sizeomnivore — roach chow/dry dog food, fruit, veg, occasional protein

Adult cadencecontinuous (chow + fresh produce for moisture)

Times kept: 0