Polyphaga aegyptiaca (Egyptian Sand Roach)

Polyhaga aegyptiaca

(Egyptian Sand Roach)

This species lives inside of mammal/reptile burrows in nature. Nymphs start out hay yellow with ornate markings, gradually growing darker with time. Adult females are round and almost look like some kind of beetle. Adult males are lightly built with long, black wings. All life stages sport comically long back legs, which help them quickly flip back over after falling.

Adult Size - Male (30 mm), Female (34 mm)

Climbing Ability - None

Flying Ability - Uncertain

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Enclosure

P.aegyptiaca aren't particularly crowding sensitive, but are decent sized, so their enclosure should have some space. 

Ventilation level - High

Hides - Not necessary

Barrier/Secure Lid - Not necessary

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Substrate

P.aegyptiaca is well suited to fine coconut fiber. This substrate mimics the powdery material at the bottom of the rodent/reptile burrows that they naturally inhabit.

Type - Fine coconut fiber

Moisture level - Dry w/ 1 moist corner

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Food

P.aegyptiaca don't accept many of the foods that average roaches do. They seem to do best when fed proteinaceous pet foods and dead hardwood leaves.

Type - Proteinaceous pet foods & dead hardwood leaves

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Temperature

P.aegyptiaca can be kept into the high 60s, but grows and breeds fastest at warmer temperatures.

Range - 68 F to 85 F