Cockroaches are among the most resilient creatures on earth. They’ve been around for over 290 million years and have outlived hundreds of species that were much higher up the food chain, including dinosaurs.\u00a0And they don’t even need a head to live.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Crazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How long can a cockroach live without a head?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n They can live for up to three weeks with no head! Here are the basics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this article, we’ll discuss how long a cockroach can survive without its head and explain how it’s possible. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n Most species of cockroaches can live up to three full weeks without a head. Naturally, they are not able to eat, but thanks to their fascinating anatomical structure, they will still be able to breathe through their legs. Roaches can hold their breath for 40 minutes while submerged in water<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Roaches are the ultimate survivors. They can even handle massive doses of radiation (though they can’t withstand a nuclear blast<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most species of cockroaches can live up to three full weeks without a head.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n To endure starvation and prolonged dehydration, cockroaches will live off their fat storage for sustenance and slow down their breathing to prevent water loss.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Cockroaches are cold-blooded, therefore, they rely on their environment to regulate their body temperature. A warmer body temperature requires more energy which is generated through consuming food and water. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A decapitated cockroach will opt not to regulate their internal body temperature and will use less energy.\u00a0It is incredible how even without a head, a cockroach still behaves with some sort of intelligence<\/a> and logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While cockroaches are well-equipped to survive decapitation, they will eventually die due to one of the following reasons: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Like all living creatures, cockroaches need water to survive. Dehydration is often the most common way that decapitated cockroaches eventually die. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, it can take days or weeks before they’re finished off. There are 3 main ways that cockroaches use and ultimately lose hydration while headless:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dehydration is often the most common way that decapitated cockroaches eventually die.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Since the cockroach will not eat anything while headless, excretion will diminish. Spiracles<\/a> are found throughout the cockroach’s body and are what they use to breathe. To prolong their survival, cockroaches will slow down their breathing.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned, a headless cockroach will not be able to eat, so starvation becomes the next most likely cause of death. Even if the cockroach was able to locate food without its antennae<\/a> and eyes<\/a>, it has no way to consume the food. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some cockroaches can survive for over a month without food. There are 3 main physiological mechanisms that they possess that make this possible:\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lipids are fats and good sources of energy, while glycogen serves as the primary form of energy. Both are stored in fat bodies, which are mainly located near the gut, intestines, and reproductive organs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n These are a type of bacteria present in cockroaches <\/a>that are required to create amino acids. Amino acids serve as an essential energy source, especially when lipids and glycogen levels start depleting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cockroaches can withstand long periods of starvation because their body continues to mobilize nutrients for up to 3 weeks.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nHow Long Can a Cockroach Live Without a Head? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Dehydration<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
2. Starvation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
3. Lipids and glycogen storage<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Endosymbionts<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Trophocytes<\/h3>\n\n\n\n