What is a cockroach?

Written by Indra Bhan

The scientific name of the cockroach is Periplaneta americana.

The scientific name of any organism is taken together with the name of its genus and species.

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Cockroaches are omnivores and are nocturnal.

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They live in damp and warm places, as well as in kitchens, hotels, bakeries, restaurants, warehouses, sewage, and public places.

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Periplaneta is a fast-running animal.

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Adult or young cockroaches are about 2 to 4 cm in length and about 1 cm in width.

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Their entire body is covered with a hard, brownish, chitinous skeleton.

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In each of these segments, the skeleton consists of rigid plates called sclerites

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A cockroach can hold its breath for 45 minutes.

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