Gravity defying "Feets"
One of the things I've enjoyed the most since Gordo and Guapo have arrived is watching Guapo climb the side of the habitat. I've captured Guapo's gravity defying feat on video that really shows their amazing feet anatomy. Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches (MHC) have special pads on their feet that enable them to climb very smooth surfaces such as the side of the terrarium. Note also the sharp spines on the tibia. When I've held Guapo, it feels like he is stuck to me and I can feel the prickly spines as well. Guapo demonstrates gravity defying "feets". Filming Guapo through the terrarium while he climbs offers a unique view of his ventral surface as well. you can see the soft connective tissue where his legs attach to his abdomen. Like all insects, MHC have 3 pairs of legs. The portion closest to the body is the femur. The middle portion is the tibia while the "feet" are tarsi. While the names of these anatomical structures are similar to humans, they m...
