Australia is home to the biggest cockroach in the world, the giant burrowing cockroach or rhinoceros cockroach (Macropanesthia Rhinoceros), which can grow as big as 3 inches and live 10 years. Don't let that keep you away -- you might want one for a pet. The Australian pet industry reports that demand for the roaches is high, according to the Reuters News Agency (May, 2003). Reuters quotes supplier John Olive: "Admittedly they are a bit of an unusual pet, but the kids can play with them without getting hurt and they are very low maintenance. I'm surprised more people don't want them as pets." Another supplier, Sue Hasenpusch, agrees. "These really are charming creatures. They're clean, they're not stinky at all and there is nothing horrible about them except for the name cockroach."

They eat eucalytus or gum tree leaves, and can be kept comfortably in a tank. Animal trainer Steve Austin told Reuters that he succeeded in training a group of roaches to come when called. "They certainly won't be greeting you at the door with a newspaper in their mouth like a dog, but they can respond as a pet as much as a fish, coming when called. They have a certain intelligence and they are getting quite well known as pets."

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