This insect looks—and sounds—like anything but a run-of-the-mill roach. Madagascar hissing cockroaches are one of many fascinating animal species to hail from the island of Madagascar.

Hissing cockroaches, or hissers, are ground-dwellers, meaning they don’t have wings and therefore don’t fly. They have short antennae and six short, hairy legs.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches are some of the largest cockroaches in the world, often reaching up to 4 inches long! And while the term “roach” my make you squeamish, these particular insects ...