I've been wanting to see videos of this species before! I never really understood why they were so desirable and expensive, but this video clears that up quite a bit for me. One day I hope to have some of these, but for now it'll just be a dream.
Thanks Rus! These aren't roaches, they're dogs. They outlive many breeds. ;) Looking forward to watching your tarantula interview with Richard from The Tarantula Collective!
Bugs In Cyberspace a dog that only makes quiet hissing sounds, fits in your hand, and eats leaves? What not to like? If all goes well, Richard and ai will be making that video next month! 😊👍
This was fascinating. I like insects and have been thinking about getting something big like a rhinoceros beetle - didn't give roaches a second thought as I wasn't keen on the idea, but your video has completely changed my mind. I'm really starting to see the appeal!
It's a long video and I don't imagine most people will watch the entire thing, but I learned a long time ago that I have to do it my way. Lots of things I would like to have polished up and I'd have liked to do a tank set up portion but a video like this represents at least a solid 24 hours of work over the course of several days (months in this case), not to mention experience over the course of 20 years starting with the first three roaches of this species I got in the year 2000 on trade for some of what was then called Plusiotis gloriosa that I had captive-bred. But at some point the deadline comes and in this case I went to bed at 2:45 AM and set my alarm for 4:15 AM to get up and upload the video to youtube after it was done processing/balancing the audio. Went back to bed. Got up and made the thumbnail, wrote the description, etc. Then a little head's up on Instagram and TikTok. Embedding it on the website. So many steps and now the work is done. I have my next 3 or 4 youtube videos planned, maybe 6 if you count the ones on my maybe list. Just need a break and a few days of support and encouragement from viewers in the very way you just did. Keeps me going! No watchers, no commenters, no point. All this work for a bunch of bugs? No, it's the people. Always the people. Thank you, Lois!
Thank you for giving the the time to make this video. I plan to keep these at some point in the future as they are my "dream roach". Only a few months ago I started keeping my first roaches ever ( Black Tiger hissers "Gromphadorhina grandidieri") and have finally acquired this year the first "bugs" I desired to keep as pets when I was 9 years old( I am now 32...), I have started on the long journey of raising and hopefuly one day breeding "Archispirostreptus gigas", the Giant African Millipede. So maybe once I accomplish that I will try my hand at these beautiful glossy buggers, and between both you and Orin McMonigle I feel confident in my endeavors, going where the both of you have gone before and following the land that has already been mapped out before me:) Keep up the passion and the good work, very educational and entertaining.
Black tiger hissers sure aren't common. I've had a colony of them for many years and have a pretty good group going currently. Good luck with those AGB's! I've had them lay eggs a few times in tanks with a mixed sand/soil substrate and low ventilation. Best of luck to you, Gail and thank you for your kind words and comments!
This is by far the most amazing video out on this species, thank you for that. I've literally dreamt about obtaining this species to add to my breeding collection of roaches, isopods, scorpions and more. I love all reptiles, arachnids, insects and most of all I've had a huge passion and fascination for all roach and isopod species most. I love their temperaments, colors, and just find myself so mesmerized by them. If I ever could be given the chance or opportunity to care for this species especially, along with the cave roaches you show as well, it would be a dream come true to raise them up, and care for them, truly would be a blessing. Thank you so so very much for providing much needed videos for us all.
@@bugsincyberspace That would be amazing, definitely dream of the day I can be caring myself for this species, for the excitement, joy and beauty of growing with them ❤
A lot of reptile people end up with an interest in roaches through their feeders and branch out to pet roaches. I had roaches first and then reptiles later. Still have a bearded dragon. Thanks for your interest, Wally!
I wasn't aware that the mating ritual also involves hissing in this species. I recently found a study on G.portentosa's mating ritual. Scientists assumed that the hissing was an important part in successful mating, so they temporary covered the pair of spiracles responsible for the hiss with tape. Interestingly, mating failed. The hissing is a kind of "navigation system" for the female. Loved the video btw.
Thanks so much and if only our ears could hear better, who knows what kind of world we'd be living in? Human males, in particular, are well documented for being very poor listeners and the survival of their species is dependent on the female to compensate for it.
@@bugsincyberspace I'm definitely going to send you the study if I find it again. Funny thing, while I'm typing this my big 10cm G.Oblongonata male is sitting on my shoulder and my hair is touching him. Their mating ritual involves the female stroking the male with her antennas. My hair seems to feel the same. I need to put this on tape... 😂😂
Just ordered a pair of Dynastes Tityus larvae and in super excited for when they arrive, I don’t care how long it will take I’m just exited for some beetles!
Congrats on the nymphs! Beautiful specimens in the video as well! Like many other keepers M. rhinoceros has been on my wishlist since I entered the hobby. Love the videos! Also just curious, but will you be offering any nymphs on your site in the future once the molt to 2nd instar or so?
Thanks for your comments and interest, Junior. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the extras. I'm keeping some for breeding of course, sending a few off to people free of charge who will do amazing things with them. I'm putting off all decisions about selling them or not until I see how these ones do in the next couple months. There are certain things that I never like to ship in the hotter months and these are one of them.
Understood! Hopefully they develop well and you don't lose any/many. I'll keep my eyes peeled for them if you do end up listing a few in the cooler months. If anything I can bug TJ in 6-8 years if he has success with them!
@@bugsincyberspaceHaha I'm sure I will some more! I would harass him for care info/tips, but he's always eager to help. Glad he can get a chance to work with them now!
Thanks so much fort the informative video! Is there a particular type of sand that you recommend for the substrate? Also, how often should it be changed?
I don't put much sand in with the rhino roach substrate and sometimes leave it out entirely, and the type doesn't matter too much since it is a small amount. It just helps with density in the substrate so that it compacts and holds moisture better if you aren't hovering over them daily (like many new keepers do). ;)
Great video ! I have two Rhinos that are approx. 2+ yrs old and according to the shapes of their identical pronotums, they are both female. Is it still too early to be sure of their genders, or are they old enough to determine gender now ? Thanks
Maybe in two years. I suspect I have the largest breeding colony of the species in the US but just waiting for the next generation of them to start producing.
Very nice video, always nice to see these beauties on camera! 😁 I do have a couple points I'd like to bring up though, hope you don't mind. 1) Ironically, despite the fact that Orin pioneered the husbandry methodology most people use for breeding Macropanesthia, and has more experience breeding this species than anyone else in the US, he is the ONLY person I know who's females usually don't produce young more than once in their lifespan... I've talked with many breeders from the US, Europe and Asia, and they all seem to have their females reproduce yearly... I suspect this has more to do with subtle seasonal cues than husbandry, since a lot of the US breeders I talked to kept theirs based off of Orin's breeding methodology and still had their females consistently reproduce every year... But in any case, Orin's females seem to be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to the number of broods produced in their lifetime, very odd considering he has more experience with them than most. 2) I have never seen CB adult pairs go for near $1,000, the most I've seen is $600 for a pair, and I believe they were WC, new bloodline and all that. Now this may be something that has only changed in the last 5 years or so, but nowadays the typical pricing structure on these is $100 per small nymph, $250 per small sexed pair, then anywhere from $400-550 per adult sexed pair. Prices may vary quite a bit from vendor to vendor, but that is the pricing range most use nowadays, perhaps because there are a lot more people breeding them now than there used to be, and I know a few people who've been bringing both CB and WC groups in from Europe and re-selling them, so the volume of Macropanesthia in the US has been increasing steadily, in the last few years especially.
One thing about Orin is he is very careful to document everything with precision. I am always skeptical of other people's data and particularly when they are commenting casually online. For example, some people keep their roaches together and don't necessarily "really" know which ones are producing young from year to year. That said, I do think care differences likely factor in quite a bit. I keep mine warmer than he keeps his and feed them maple leaves primarily. He feeds them a variety including beech and oak and supplements with dog food rather than fish food pellets. Mine are also older than any he has personally kept as of the documentation in his book (many years now since I edited it for him prior to publishing so he may be doing things different now too). In any case, different care practices (and results) definitely help to provide perspective about what works best. As for pricing, what people charge for this species seldom has anything to do with what people will pay for them. People always tell me my prices are so great, but it sure doesn't hurt to have the first three links on Google going to your websites for "buy rhino roach." 😉
@@bugsincyberspace Very true, that being said, most of the people I've talked to personally only had one or two pairs to begin with, and thus it was quite easy for them to keep track of the amount of offspring females produced, along with frequency... You're yet another person I can add to my list of people who have their females usually reproduce yearly, so I'm very much under the impression that that is actually the norm, (at the very least, that's the rate at which this species supposedly breeds in the wild). I definitely think it has something to do with temps, particularly the rise and fall of them with the seasons, (even slight fluctuations), though just keeping them warmer year round could be the trick too. Could possibly be dietary too, though everyone seems to feeds theirs slightly differently, some more like you, others more like Orin, and with the exception of Orin, it doesn't appear to make a huge difference in reproduction. True, true, and the price on your website currently is more than fair IMO, a bit below the average retail value. 😄
@@InvertebrateDude It may be worth noting here that the roaches were never mine. They were yours before they were born for the reasons described in the first minute of the video. When you later breed them and sell them, your customer will decided their value, not you. If you cannot find a customer for them at $2000 each it is because they are invaluable to you. Nobody ever talks about seller's remorse. 😉 Sometimes people ask me if they can buy an orchid mantis egg case. In their minds they want to pay about a hundred bucks for it. 30 days later it hatches and they can sell the 100 nymphs at $40 each. I don't sell orchid mantis egg cases because if it hatches, I lose. If the buyer doesn't care for it properly, everybody loses. Everything can be a win/win and so it should be.
Would you ever be willing to part with any of the rhino roach nymphs, or sell ? Ive been seeking these for years now, and definitely out of my affordability, and availability is slim. I seen your website have them but out of stock tho when I looked. Let me know please and thank you very much.
What is your opinion on keeping springtails and isopods in a bioactive substrate with the rhino roaches? I'm from Australia and will most likely only have one roach, so no nymphs anytime soon, was wondering if the isopods might cause problems with the roaches or if it's safe to keep them together
Do you still actively work with this species? You're my primary source for isopod/millipede substrate and and i visit your site for different things all the time. Im just now getting in the roach hobby, nothing this spectacular! Im opening up my home to a couple of male Madagascar Hissers very soon ❤
@@bugsincyberspace So fascinating!! It’s so crazy how tedious of a process it is. Your devotion proves they’re in good care! Thank you for keeping them alive in the hobby for other enthusiasts!
Do you ever have problems with gnats? I was plagued by gnats for a couple of months, and now I'm scared to gather leaves without baking them before use. I'm not even sure if the leaves were the source of my gnat problem, but I've just been wary ever since.
Yep, all the time and it is worse in the wet months of the year. They are common in house plants and love bug tanks. I really need to do a video on this topic again. I think I have one video up already but maybe that was on my old yt channel.
My Rhino enclosure had a horrible gnat problem in the spring. Luckily, I am a carnivorous plant collector, and just moved a few Sundews to the room I keep them in. The gnat problem was solved in about four days!
although unrelated to rhino roaches i got a warrior beetle and i wanted to ask if you have ever considered selling different kinds of them. I have really liked how pasimachus viridans looks and i thoght it would be cool to own one. Another thing is about larger beetles such as rhino or stag beetles, when will some rhino beetles be back in stock since a lot of them are out of stock. I was too late
Maybe within a month I'll have more D. tityus and likely D. grantii at some point too. I used to offer P. viridans but no longer have sourcing for them, sorry. Thanks for your interest, AG!
@@bugsincyberspace ill wait for there to be more in stock. Sorry to bother but do you happen to know if or how to breed the dune buggies. I saw two of mine breeding and i was curious
@@albatrossgaming6082 I appreciate your interest in all these subjects! @invertebratedude had suggested that they may feed on the roots of grasses and other plants in nature, and with respect to the larvae if you happen to produce them. Not much documented on their care. If you see eggs or larvae, let us know! Thanks!
Congrats on the babies! 8 and a half years is a long time for an insect! I'm not usually big on roaches but these are amazing, I love their spiked legs. Too bad they're so expensive. Also, I recently found a native Litaneutria minor ground mantis (or, you could say, a carnivorous cockroach :P) and I'm hoping she has eggs so I can get an ooth. By the way, do you raise Polyphemus moths anymore?
Jessica who works here is raising some polyphemus and io larvae right now. I didn't see any adults this year but I also haven't been setting up my black lights quite as frequently since we are down an employee due to social distancing regulations and I'm covering many tasks that I normally don't cover. Jessica has been bringing the larvae to work now and then and I've been taking some video of them and so I can probably piece a half-decent video together about them at some point once they pupate. That's the only part of the life cycle I don't have video of. Good look with that mantis. I hatched an egg case from a female once. On the old version of my website (which will be updated again soon), I had a picture of a first instar specimen on the head of a pin. So tiny!
@@bugsincyberspace What happened to your Litaneutria babies? Did any survive to adulthood? I had two Polyphemus eggs, and they both hatched but they just kept walking around not eating. Finally they got too weak to move and stood there and died. Not sure what I did wrong. Tried oak, maple, aspen, sweetgum, and others. Found a single male Polyphemus under a light, no females. They are like ghosts around here. I have 6 Lined Sphinx and 1 Bedstraw Sphinx caterpillars I hatched from wild females, and 8 tiger swallowtail caterpillars I found as 1st/2nd instar outside, one of which is pupating atm. Also have 3 Nadata gibbosa/oregonensis caterpillars. Had over 10 but most suffered the same fate as the Polyphemus. Do you ever get food refusal problems with young caterpillars?
When do you expect to these back up on the website? Also I ordered 3 warty glowspots and 3 hissers from you back in November, and they’re doing great 👍, 2 of the glowspots have matured and the other is a subadult, unfortunately do to unforeseen circumstances only one of the hissers survived, and somewhat ironically it just happened to the biggest of the three and he is really big now, 2 inches at least
I appreciate your support, Kevin! I haven't made any decisions about if/when I'm going to list any of these newborns. I'm just watching to see them make it to the next instar and then at some point deciding whether I want to retain them for my own breeding colonies or move some on. I'm getting bombarded with requests of course. On the new website out in September there will be a "waiting list" feature that you can use so that if I do list any on the site you will be automatically notified. Thanks again for your interest!
@@bugsincyberspace yeah I saw them on a show on animal planet when I was around 10. I thought roaches that live 10+ years and take care of their babies was the most amazing concept ever.
"In a former life" as I like to say, I kept over a hundred species of stick and leaf-insects but they require permits to keep here in the USA and so I stopped keeping them many years ago. I miss them every day!
I have to imagine those massive spiked legs of there's, plus their overall huge size, means it's possible for them to actually scratch or stab into your skin as they walk around.
One of my rhino roaches is very active, often spending large parts of the day running around the periphery of the enclosure. This seems like odd behaviour. What could it mean? Should I be worried? If I was to guess I would say it was an immature female but I’m no expert. It is housed with three other immature individuals, with plenty of hiding spots and food
Trying to find someone in the great white north with some hissers (madagscar, holloween, or otherwise) who wouldn't mind sharing some nymphs or a breeding pair
I do culture that species and their sexual dimorphism would make for a very interesting video. Someday, someday and thank you for your interest in them!
@@bugsincyberspace Thank you for the reply! They are the first species I chose to culture after extensive research. I wanted a feeder that bred at room temp, and couldn't climb glass. I finally have a couple adults, but can't tell if they're male or female.
@@chickenosm Most of the time when people settle on them it's because they are in Florida and they are native to that state. The males sure look interesting!
I've been wanting to see videos of this species before! I never really understood why they were so desirable and expensive, but this video clears that up quite a bit for me. One day I hope to have some of these, but for now it'll just be a dream.
I have another female and I'm hoping she might produce shortly too, although its getting a bit late in the year now. Thanks YDKM!
@@bugsincyberspace do you still have some that you could sell or some shops that can?
I love my rhinos 🥰 excited to get more soon. The squeaks, the spiky feet, the size....so much to love!
They can get a little noisy in a plastic tanks when they get excited in the fall!
Awwwww
Even though I can’t keep roaches, I really enjoyed this video! A very unique species!
Thanks Rus! These aren't roaches, they're dogs. They outlive many breeds. ;)
Looking forward to watching your tarantula interview with Richard from The Tarantula Collective!
Bugs In Cyberspace a dog that only makes quiet hissing sounds, fits in your hand, and eats leaves? What not to like? If all goes well, Richard and ai will be making that video next month! 😊👍
@@Aquarimax I can't wait!
This was fascinating. I like insects and have been thinking about getting something big like a rhinoceros beetle - didn't give roaches a second thought as I wasn't keen on the idea, but your video has completely changed my mind. I'm really starting to see the appeal!
Thanks so much for expressing your new perspective on the topic, Michelle, and welcome!
Absolutely gorgeous! One of my favorite insects! Waiting for new born for sale!
What precious chonky babies.
I love them.
now that is a great bug! wouldn't want to step on one! i never saw such a wonderful insect befor.
Such a nice thing to read, Jackie. Thank you!
Heck yeah! The ultimate cockroach. What a dream to own someday.
Next stop, rhino roaches. All aboard!
Love for Rhinoceros roaches
Thanks Phillip!
I dont have eucalyptus leaves in my area. Can I use maple leaves which I usually feed my isopods to these roaches?
Absolutely. They love maple, and oak!
I think this must be the best video ever! Very interesting and informative. Thank you so much for taking the time to do this for us.
It's a long video and I don't imagine most people will watch the entire thing, but I learned a long time ago that I have to do it my way. Lots of things I would like to have polished up and I'd have liked to do a tank set up portion but a video like this represents at least a solid 24 hours of work over the course of several days (months in this case), not to mention experience over the course of 20 years starting with the first three roaches of this species I got in the year 2000 on trade for some of what was then called Plusiotis gloriosa that I had captive-bred. But at some point the deadline comes and in this case I went to bed at 2:45 AM and set my alarm for 4:15 AM to get up and upload the video to youtube after it was done processing/balancing the audio. Went back to bed. Got up and made the thumbnail, wrote the description, etc. Then a little head's up on Instagram and TikTok. Embedding it on the website. So many steps and now the work is done. I have my next 3 or 4 youtube videos planned, maybe 6 if you count the ones on my maybe list. Just need a break and a few days of support and encouragement from viewers in the very way you just did. Keeps me going! No watchers, no commenters, no point. All this work for a bunch of bugs? No, it's the people. Always the people. Thank you, Lois!
@@bugsincyberspace Cool! Thanks again.
Hi Peter, what substrate do you use for these? And your set up looks dry. Seems to really be thriving.
So amazing !
Crazy to think this roach lives longer than many pet mammal species. Also where'd you get the shirt from? It looks awesome.
I get the shirts from ShapesInNature.com and blue death feigning beetles can live 17 or so years!
I'm interested in a trio of 2nd instar nymphs when ya get to moving 'em.....thanks for taking the time to make the videos...very enjoyable! Mike
Thanks for your interest, Mike. I haven't decided what I'm going to do with them yet. Just waiting to see how they do the next couple months.
Bought the book and your recommendation!
Thanks Nick!
love these guys
Definitely an inspiring pet bug with that ten year lifespan!
Thank you for giving the the time to make this video.
I plan to keep these at some point in the future as they are my "dream roach". Only a few months ago I started keeping my first roaches ever ( Black Tiger hissers "Gromphadorhina grandidieri") and have finally acquired this year the first "bugs" I desired to keep as pets when I was 9 years old( I am now 32...), I have started on the long journey of raising and hopefuly one day breeding "Archispirostreptus gigas", the Giant African Millipede.
So maybe once I accomplish that I will try my hand at these beautiful glossy buggers, and between both you and Orin McMonigle I feel confident in my endeavors, going where the both of you have gone before and following the land that has already been mapped out before me:)
Keep up the passion and the good work, very educational and entertaining.
Black tiger hissers sure aren't common. I've had a colony of them for many years and have a pretty good group going currently. Good luck with those AGB's! I've had them lay eggs a few times in tanks with a mixed sand/soil substrate and low ventilation. Best of luck to you, Gail and thank you for your kind words and comments!
@@bugsincyberspace Thank you for the advice on the AGBs! And you are welcome:)
This is by far the most amazing video out on this species, thank you for that. I've literally dreamt about obtaining this species to add to my breeding collection of roaches, isopods, scorpions and more. I love all reptiles, arachnids, insects and most of all I've had a huge passion and fascination for all roach and isopod species most. I love their temperaments, colors, and just find myself so mesmerized by them. If I ever could be given the chance or opportunity to care for this species especially, along with the cave roaches you show as well, it would be a dream come true to raise them up, and care for them, truly would be a blessing. Thank you so so very much for providing much needed videos for us all.
I appreciate your comments and enthusiasm for the species, Jayce! We'll be working to make them more regularly available in the US hobby!
@@bugsincyberspace That would be amazing, definitely dream of the day I can be caring myself for this species, for the excitement, joy and beauty of growing with them ❤
@@NeLsInFiNiTy They are definitely a species to add to the collection! Shoot me an email if you're wanting the giant caves. I might have a few extras.
@@bugsincyberspace definitely will email you without a doubt, thanks.
@@bugsincyberspace I emailed you on website and through your email listed, should be good to go lol
What an amazing video. So much information on an animal that is so very rare in the hobby. Thanks for sharing this.
A lot of reptile people end up with an interest in roaches through their feeders and branch out to pet roaches. I had roaches first and then reptiles later. Still have a bearded dragon. Thanks for your interest, Wally!
That’s a huge roch
Ashford's Adventures Yes it is
I have just bought my first pair. Any helpful tips? I really want them to thrive
Very unique and edifying footage; thanks!
You're very welcome and thank you for commenting!
Life got away from me and I got way behind on your videos. This is so amazing! Do you think you’ll have more nymphs this year?
I wasn't aware that the mating ritual also involves hissing in this species. I recently found a study on G.portentosa's mating ritual. Scientists assumed that the hissing was an important part in successful mating, so they temporary covered the pair of spiracles responsible for the hiss with tape. Interestingly, mating failed. The hissing is a kind of "navigation system" for the female. Loved the video btw.
Thanks so much and if only our ears could hear better, who knows what kind of world we'd be living in? Human males, in particular, are well documented for being very poor listeners and the survival of their species is dependent on the female to compensate for it.
@@bugsincyberspace I'm definitely going to send you the study if I find it again. Funny thing, while I'm typing this my big 10cm G.Oblongonata male is sitting on my shoulder and my hair is touching him. Their mating ritual involves the female stroking the male with her antennas. My hair seems to feel the same. I need to put this on tape... 😂😂
My madagascar hissing roach just had 33 babies also a week ago!
'Tis baby season for many roaches in the northern hemisphere! Congrats, Melissa!
Just ordered a pair of Dynastes Tityus larvae and in super excited for when they arrive, I don’t care how long it will take I’m just exited for some beetles!
Thanks PTAV! The larvae are fun to grow up and it's always worth the wait!
Congrats on the nymphs! Beautiful specimens in the video as well! Like many other keepers M. rhinoceros has been on my wishlist since I entered the hobby.
Love the videos! Also just curious, but will you be offering any nymphs on your site in the future once the molt to 2nd instar or so?
Thanks for your comments and interest, Junior. I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the extras. I'm keeping some for breeding of course, sending a few off to people free of charge who will do amazing things with them. I'm putting off all decisions about selling them or not until I see how these ones do in the next couple months. There are certain things that I never like to ship in the hotter months and these are one of them.
Understood! Hopefully they develop well and you don't lose any/many. I'll keep my eyes peeled for them if you do end up listing a few in the cooler months. If anything I can bug TJ in 6-8 years if he has success with them!
@@juniorbarbados8991 Hey, bug him regardless! 😂
@@bugsincyberspaceHaha I'm sure I will some more! I would harass him for care info/tips, but he's always eager to help. Glad he can get a chance to work with them now!
some roaches are nice making colors before getting bigger
Nice
Sympa la petite famille 👍, j'ai un couple aussi 😊🇨🇵
Thanks so much fort the informative video! Is there a particular type of sand that you recommend for the substrate? Also, how often should it be changed?
I don't put much sand in with the rhino roach substrate and sometimes leave it out entirely, and the type doesn't matter too much since it is a small amount. It just helps with density in the substrate so that it compacts and holds moisture better if you aren't hovering over them daily (like many new keepers do). ;)
@@bugsincyberspace You got me! I'm totally obsessed!
Great video! I'll make sure to follow your channel closely to see if you decide to sell some of these nymphs!
Thanks for your interest, Logan!
Great video ! I have two Rhinos that are approx. 2+ yrs old and according to the shapes of their identical pronotums, they are both female. Is it still too early to be sure of their genders, or are they old enough to determine gender now ? Thanks
When will they be back In stock on the website ?
Maybe in two years. I suspect I have the largest breeding colony of the species in the US but just waiting for the next generation of them to start producing.
Awesome!
Good to see you here, Jake. Welcome!
Is there any way to get an idea of the age of adult roaches?
Slice them open and count the rings (just kidding). Not that I know of, unfortunately.
Very nice video, always nice to see these beauties on camera! 😁 I do have a couple points I'd like to bring up though, hope you don't mind.
1) Ironically, despite the fact that Orin pioneered the husbandry methodology most people use for breeding Macropanesthia, and has more experience breeding this species than anyone else in the US, he is the ONLY person I know who's females usually don't produce young more than once in their lifespan... I've talked with many breeders from the US, Europe and Asia, and they all seem to have their females reproduce yearly... I suspect this has more to do with subtle seasonal cues than husbandry, since a lot of the US breeders I talked to kept theirs based off of Orin's breeding methodology and still had their females consistently reproduce every year... But in any case, Orin's females seem to be the exception rather than the rule when it comes to the number of broods produced in their lifetime, very odd considering he has more experience with them than most.
2) I have never seen CB adult pairs go for near $1,000, the most I've seen is $600 for a pair, and I believe they were WC, new bloodline and all that. Now this may be something that has only changed in the last 5 years or so, but nowadays the typical pricing structure on these is $100 per small nymph, $250 per small sexed pair, then anywhere from $400-550 per adult sexed pair. Prices may vary quite a bit from vendor to vendor, but that is the pricing range most use nowadays, perhaps because there are a lot more people breeding them now than there used to be, and I know a few people who've been bringing both CB and WC groups in from Europe and re-selling them, so the volume of Macropanesthia in the US has been increasing steadily, in the last few years especially.
One thing about Orin is he is very careful to document everything with precision. I am always skeptical of other people's data and particularly when they are commenting casually online. For example, some people keep their roaches together and don't necessarily "really" know which ones are producing young from year to year.
That said, I do think care differences likely factor in quite a bit. I keep mine warmer than he keeps his and feed them maple leaves primarily. He feeds them a variety including beech and oak and supplements with dog food rather than fish food pellets. Mine are also older than any he has personally kept as of the documentation in his book (many years now since I edited it for him prior to publishing so he may be doing things different now too). In any case, different care practices (and results) definitely help to provide perspective about what works best.
As for pricing, what people charge for this species seldom has anything to do with what people will pay for them. People always tell me my prices are so great, but it sure doesn't hurt to have the first three links on Google going to your websites for "buy rhino roach." 😉
@@bugsincyberspace Very true, that being said, most of the people I've talked to personally only had one or two pairs to begin with, and thus it was quite easy for them to keep track of the amount of offspring females produced, along with frequency... You're yet another person I can add to my list of people who have their females usually reproduce yearly, so I'm very much under the impression that that is actually the norm, (at the very least, that's the rate at which this species supposedly breeds in the wild).
I definitely think it has something to do with temps, particularly the rise and fall of them with the seasons, (even slight fluctuations), though just keeping them warmer year round could be the trick too. Could possibly be dietary too, though everyone seems to feeds theirs slightly differently, some more like you, others more like Orin, and with the exception of Orin, it doesn't appear to make a huge difference in reproduction.
True, true, and the price on your website currently is more than fair IMO, a bit below the average retail value. 😄
@@InvertebrateDude Normal reproduction is noted in Orin's book.
lol, just for the record the two I'm sending you are worth a $1000 EACH! 😂
@@bugsincyberspace Wow, really? 😃 That's awesome, so I take it their offspring will be worth at least $2,000 each? 😂
@@InvertebrateDude It may be worth noting here that the roaches were never mine. They were yours before they were born for the reasons described in the first minute of the video.
When you later breed them and sell them, your customer will decided their value, not you. If you cannot find a customer for them at $2000 each it is because they are invaluable to you. Nobody ever talks about seller's remorse. 😉
Sometimes people ask me if they can buy an orchid mantis egg case. In their minds they want to pay about a hundred bucks for it. 30 days later it hatches and they can sell the 100 nymphs at $40 each. I don't sell orchid mantis egg cases because if it hatches, I lose. If the buyer doesn't care for it properly, everybody loses. Everything can be a win/win and so it should be.
Man I need these. 😩
Would you ever be willing to part with any of the rhino roach nymphs, or sell ? Ive been seeking these for years now, and definitely out of my affordability, and availability is slim. I seen your website have them but out of stock tho when I looked. Let me know please and thank you very much.
That's the plan! It's just a question of when.
@@bugsincyberspace definitely can't wait, im excited lol
also would there be a way to purchase an adult Dynastes Tityus instead of larvae?
No, the dysnatses tityus Dont pupate until late summer, I also wouldn’t recommend taking care of a grub at your age
I rarely offer adults, but sometimes we do offer captive bred ones throughout the year.
Thank you
What is your opinion on keeping springtails and isopods in a bioactive substrate with the rhino roaches? I'm from Australia and will most likely only have one roach, so no nymphs anytime soon, was wondering if the isopods might cause problems with the roaches or if it's safe to keep them together
Shouldn't be a problem as springtails will eat mould and decaying plant matter
Do you still actively work with this species?
You're my primary source for isopod/millipede substrate and and i visit your site for different things all the time. Im just now getting in the roach hobby, nothing this spectacular!
Im opening up my home to a couple of male Madagascar Hissers very soon ❤
Yes, I have a very good colony of them going and hope to have babies maybe spring of 2025
@@bugsincyberspace So fascinating!! It’s so crazy how tedious of a process it is. Your devotion proves they’re in good care! Thank you for keeping them alive in the hobby for other enthusiasts!
@@bugsincyberspace OMG I'll definitely get at least one baby🥰🤩😍
Do you ever have problems with gnats? I was plagued by gnats for a couple of months, and now I'm scared to gather leaves without baking them before use. I'm not even sure if the leaves were the source of my gnat problem, but I've just been wary ever since.
Yep, all the time and it is worse in the wet months of the year. They are common in house plants and love bug tanks. I really need to do a video on this topic again. I think I have one video up already but maybe that was on my old yt channel.
My Rhino enclosure had a horrible gnat problem in the spring. Luckily, I am a carnivorous plant collector, and just moved a few Sundews to the room I keep them in. The gnat problem was solved in about four days!
Great video! Was wondering how these would go on the floor of my Extatosoma tiaratum inclosure to clean up dried Eucalyptus leaves...
although unrelated to rhino roaches i got a warrior beetle and i wanted to ask if you have ever considered selling different kinds of them. I have really liked how pasimachus viridans looks and i thoght it would be cool to own one. Another thing is about larger beetles such as rhino or stag beetles, when will some rhino beetles be back in stock since a lot of them are out of stock. I was too late
Maybe within a month I'll have more D. tityus and likely D. grantii at some point too. I used to offer P. viridans but no longer have sourcing for them, sorry. Thanks for your interest, AG!
@@bugsincyberspace ill wait for there to be more in stock. Sorry to bother but do you happen to know if or how to breed the dune buggies. I saw two of mine breeding and i was curious
@@albatrossgaming6082 I appreciate your interest in all these subjects! @invertebratedude had suggested that they may feed on the roots of grasses and other plants in nature, and with respect to the larvae if you happen to produce them. Not much documented on their care. If you see eggs or larvae, let us know! Thanks!
How offten you give water or spray water in the Box ?
Congrats on the babies! 8 and a half years is a long time for an insect! I'm not usually big on roaches but these are amazing, I love their spiked legs. Too bad they're so expensive. Also, I recently found a native Litaneutria minor ground mantis (or, you could say, a carnivorous cockroach :P) and I'm hoping she has eggs so I can get an ooth. By the way, do you raise Polyphemus moths anymore?
Jessica who works here is raising some polyphemus and io larvae right now. I didn't see any adults this year but I also haven't been setting up my black lights quite as frequently since we are down an employee due to social distancing regulations and I'm covering many tasks that I normally don't cover. Jessica has been bringing the larvae to work now and then and I've been taking some video of them and so I can probably piece a half-decent video together about them at some point once they pupate. That's the only part of the life cycle I don't have video of.
Good look with that mantis. I hatched an egg case from a female once. On the old version of my website (which will be updated again soon), I had a picture of a first instar specimen on the head of a pin. So tiny!
@@bugsincyberspace What happened to your Litaneutria babies? Did any survive to adulthood? I had two Polyphemus eggs, and they both hatched but they just kept walking around not eating. Finally they got too weak to move and stood there and died. Not sure what I did wrong. Tried oak, maple, aspen, sweetgum, and others. Found a single male Polyphemus under a light, no females. They are like ghosts around here. I have 6 Lined Sphinx and 1 Bedstraw Sphinx caterpillars I hatched from wild females, and 8 tiger swallowtail caterpillars I found as 1st/2nd instar outside, one of which is pupating atm. Also have 3 Nadata gibbosa/oregonensis caterpillars. Had over 10 but most suffered the same fate as the Polyphemus. Do you ever get food refusal problems with young caterpillars?
When do you expect to these back up on the website? Also I ordered 3 warty glowspots and 3 hissers from you back in November, and they’re doing great 👍, 2 of the glowspots
have matured and the other is a subadult, unfortunately do to unforeseen circumstances only one of the hissers survived, and somewhat ironically it just happened to the biggest of the three and he is really big now, 2 inches at least
I appreciate your support, Kevin! I haven't made any decisions about if/when I'm going to list any of these newborns. I'm just watching to see them make it to the next instar and then at some point deciding whether I want to retain them for my own breeding colonies or move some on. I'm getting bombarded with requests of course. On the new website out in September there will be a "waiting list" feature that you can use so that if I do list any on the site you will be automatically notified. Thanks again for your interest!
Bugs In Cyberspace, you’re welcome 😊
Did you remove the male
I hope to get more when I have the money and someone has some available. They're a childhood dream of mine
Makes me happy to hear that they are somebody's childhood dream. Thanks D!
@@bugsincyberspace yeah I saw them on a show on animal planet when I was around 10. I thought roaches that live 10+ years and take care of their babies was the most amazing concept ever.
Ah I've struggled with this species! I currently have one girl who seems to be doing ok.
do you have any walking sticks?
"In a former life" as I like to say, I kept over a hundred species of stick and leaf-insects but they require permits to keep here in the USA and so I stopped keeping them many years ago. I miss them every day!
Mabey would want roaches sometimes but I am allergic weirdly enough
Some people are allergic to some kinds of roaches. I'm told that if the cages are cleaned on a regular basis that the allergy is lessened.
That is one of my dream animals I'm working hard on my breeding projects I would live to find some of these to trade or buy such an amazing animal
I have to imagine those massive spiked legs of there's, plus their overall huge size, means it's possible for them to actually scratch or stab into your skin as they walk around.
It's very minimal. I find cats and dogs to be much more prickly. ;)
Hello how to know at what age they can be gendered? thanks...
Orin!!!
One of my rhino roaches is very active, often spending large parts of the day running around the periphery of the enclosure. This seems like odd behaviour. What could it mean? Should I be worried? If I was to guess I would say it was an immature female but I’m no expert. It is housed with three other immature individuals, with plenty of hiding spots and food
would you be willing to sell some of the babies?
It's not a decision I will make for a couple months, but thank you for your interest!
@@bugsincyberspace Thanks.
Do you have any for sell?
As of this moment, no.
Jeez look how big
I'm getting my pair in a couple months when they can be sexed. I'm so excited to get them. I can't wait!!!!
where did you find them?
Her legs are really short like that?
Trying to find someone in the great white north with some hissers (madagscar, holloween, or otherwise) who wouldn't mind sharing some nymphs or a breeding pair
Both are currently available on the website.
@@bugsincyberspace not legal in Canada unfortunately
Can I get one of those dam
god ive longed for a pair of these lovely roaches the most ive paid for an insect though is $110 for a G. pulchra
Was it worth it?
@@bugsincyberspace Absolutely I love my girl haha
@@toastdotexe I had some way back when they first came into the hobby but never grew any up to maturity.
Could you do a video on hemiblabera tenebricosa?
I do culture that species and their sexual dimorphism would make for a very interesting video. Someday, someday and thank you for your interest in them!
@@bugsincyberspace Thank you for the reply! They are the first species I chose to culture after extensive research. I wanted a feeder that bred at room temp, and couldn't climb glass. I finally have a couple adults, but can't tell if they're male or female.
@@chickenosm Most of the time when people settle on them it's because they are in Florida and they are native to that state. The males sure look interesting!
dying to get my hands on a male
Sounds like you have a leg up on most people!
3:09 pair of roach cost you 1000 dollars
Seems to contradict the old saying, "the best things in life are free," eh? ;)
I just got an adult pair for $160 AUD
Periplaneta Australasiae Australian Cockroach do you have any info on these ?
it can hissing
Awesome!