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Cockroach

Cockroaches are insects that have been around for hundreds of millions of years. Most species live in warm parts of the world and play an important role in nature by breaking down organic matter.

  • Sweden is home to both wild species that live outdoors and a few species that can live indoors. The wild species are not considered pests.

    Fast and well camouflaged

    Cockroaches are flattened, oval-shaped insects with long antennae and spiny legs. Most are brown or greyish and well camouflaged. Their heads are partly covered by a sturdy shield-like plate.

    Their long antennae are important sensory organs, especially since many cockroaches are active at night. Their legs are built for running fast and climbing.

  • Facts about cockroaches
    Scientific name:

    Blattodea

    Size:

    From around 1 centimetre to about 10 centimetres, depending on the species.

    Number of species:

    Around 4,000 cockroach species worldwide. The order Blattodea also includes termites.

    Diet:

    Organic matter, plant material, food scraps and other decomposing material, depending on the species.

    Range:

    Found across much of the world, particularly in tropical regions.

    At Skansen:

    At Lill-Skansen, you can see hissing cockroaches (Blattodea, Gromphadorhina).

  • Nature’s little recyclers

    Many cockroaches feed on dead organic matter. In tropical environments, they are an important part of the ecosystem because they help break down plant material and other matter.

    Only a small proportion of the world’s cockroaches live close to people and can become pests.

    Eggs in a protective case

    Cockroach eggs are grouped together in a hard case called an ootheca. The case protects them from drying out, weather and predators. In some species, the female carries the egg case until the young hatch.

    Cockroaches undergo incomplete metamorphosis. This means that the young, called nymphs, look like small adult cockroaches. They grow by shedding their skin several times.

    Cockroaches in Sweden

    Sweden is home to just over ten cockroach species. The forest cockroach is the most common wild species and lives outdoors. It does not reproduce indoors and is not considered a pest.

    The species that can cause problems indoors prefer warm, humid environments, such as kitchens and other heated spaces.

You can see hissing cockroaches at Lill-Skansen.

  • The Children´s zoo (Lill-Skansen) included in the entrance fee
    Jan-Mar weekdays10-15 weekends 10-16, April 10-16, May 10.00–17.00, Jun-Aug 10.00-18.00, Sept 10.00-17.00, Oct-Dec weekdays 10-15, weekends 10-16

  • Baltic Sea Science Center, included in the entrance fee
    Jan-Mar weekdays10-15 weekends 10-16, April 10-16, May 10.00–17.00, Jun-Aug 10.00-18.00, Sept 10.00-17.00, Oct-Dec weekdays 10-15, weekends 10-16

  • Funicular railway (Bergbanan)
    The funicular railwayruns daily during Easter, weekends in April and thereafter daily.

  • The Skansen-Aquarium
    Opens daily 10.00 see calendar for closing hours