If you’re someone who isn’t into animals, doesn’t necessarily want to care for something that the children want when they’ve become tired of it, and simply aren’t sure that you’re ready for a pet, and then read on. Sometimes the best test of readiness, of your commitment (and theirs) and of everyone’s abilities when it comes to pets is to buy them a low maintenance pet that everyone can “practice” on.
The absolute best in low maintenance pets has to be the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. When and if your kids or you get bored there just isn’t that much work to maintaining one. They don’t live an overly long amount of time, they are great items to practice your pet skills with and you can house and feed them very inexpensively.
The hissing cockroach is dark brown or black He or she will have a hard outer shell, known as an exoskeleton, they don’t have wings and they are very sturdy creatures. Hard to hurt and easy to care for, they’ve also got a great temperament that makes them idea for kids who have never handled a pet before.
They like about the same temperature as you do, between 68 and 72, so your normal room will serve them well.
Cockroaches will eat just about anything. Fresh fruit and things like carrots, oranges, celery, peas and other veggies with the exception of lettuce. Nearly every one we’ve ever seen was very impressed with carrots. Get rid of the food after a day or so to prevent it from spoiling.
The water should be put in the house in a very low bowl. We added some of the flat cosmetic puffs to it that are made of cotton and molded to be round and flat. This prevents the water level from staying high enough to drown your cockroach. (Hey we never said they were smart)
A five or ten gallon fish tank with a lid will be adequate housing for a pair of cockroaches. You will want to put wood shavings down, (pine isn’t recommended) and offer them perhaps a cardboard house or something else that gives them space to hide.
As pets go, the Hissing Cockroach is a great place to start training your kids, and perhaps yourself in taking care of something that doesn’t require a great deal of expense or time for the first go around.
Water should be provided in a shallow dish with cotton or some other absorbent material in it to prevent cockroaches from drowning.