Florida Skunk Cockroaches - Eurycotis floridana “Silver Springs”

Disclaimer: I can only attest to how the species I keep respond under the conditions I keep them. Even the best care under a certain set of parameters may be met with failure under others.

For any questions or to mention anything I have wrong or have missed, email me at rockinroachesandmore@gmail.com!

Summary

Florida Skunk roaches are an exceptionally prolific species, once given the conditions they prefer. They're also very pretty! A lovely rich ruby in the light that's hard to catch in a photo. This species, despite the name, has no strong odor. Though they do make a scent, it seems more the product of a large colony, and not as a defense, though the Florida Skunk roach is so laid-back that it's hard to know what, exactly, it would do if pressed, since the answer appears to be nothing. This is the easiest and calmest roach I have ever handled, more inclined to take gentle nibbles from your fingers than run away. The scent they do produce is hard to catch a whiff of, but to me, floats on the line between neutral and unpleasant. It smells something like rose-scented stink bugs, more rose than bug, but is, again, so hard to convince them to produce that I had mine for a full year before properly smelling it. Overall, these roaches are very prolific, pretty, voracious eaters that take well to crowding, and a perfect example of a non-hissing roach that's a dream to handle, if one is so inclined. I would suggest them wholeheartedly, with only the caveat that they seem to require a damp corner of their enclosure to successfully breed.

Feeding

All my roaches are fed the same, but the Florida Skunk roach is particularly indescriminate and voracious. I believe they would swarm and decimate almost any fresh fruit, vegetable, or protein offered, and hound you for seconds. It's delightful to watch them destroy an apple slice! Mine do well on a steady diet of oranges, apples, and cut-up whole carrots, though they often as not leave the carrots in favor of the fruit. I have also successfully fed them watermelon and grapes. They are not a fan of strawberry, either. In addition to a diet composed predominantly of fruits and vegetables, they require some form of protein, given based on the size of the colony and about twice a week. Mine are given cat food, but I imagine any sort of kibble would go over well, as well as fish food. I would not suggest any kind of raw or cooked meat, fish, or shellfish, though only because of the inevitable smell.

Environment

The Florida Skunk roach does not appear to mind room temperature, though they do very well with added heat. The room I keep mine in is 80°F (26.7°C), with an approx. humidity of 60%. The species reportedly prefers 68°-85°F, but can withstand short experiences above that (as evidenced by an accidental night at 90°F). Any temperature below optimal will cause a decline in growth rate and activity of the colony, and may result in an increase in mortality. Some keepers opt to provide their roaches with secondary heat sources, preferably a weak heat mat stuck to the side of the enclosure, NOT a heat lamp (too much heat, and they dislike the light) or too strong a source. For this species, however, the presence of humidity is the key ingredient.

This species appreciates the occasional dousing, provided they have a dry part of their tank to retreat to if they wish. They may be watered by spritzing or by occasionally pouring some water into the corner of the tank to soak into the substrate, which must be kept at least partially damp, though not soggy. That being said, the Florida Skunk roach can handle the occasional dry spell, so don't fret if you've forgotten to water them one week. Ensuring the colony always has some food with a high water content (oranges, apples, watermelon, grapes, zucchini) will help fill in the gaps.

Light is a non-issue for this species. They don't require - or want - additional sources beyond a room light, though they don't seem to mind indirect sunlight from a window. Ensure the enclosure is never in direct sunlight!

Enclosure

This is a moderately sized species for a wingless non-hisser, but a small starter colony of 6-12 roaches can be kept in a regular 10-gallon glass tank until the colony is practically on top of each other, depending entirely on the surface area of the hides they are given. Crowding does not seem to suppress breeding at all. They may also be kept just as easily in a Rubbermaid bin, or any largeish plastic container of a similar size, though that's not as pretty. A lid is encouraged, but not completely necessary as long as other precautions are taken (a line of petroleum jelly at least an inch thick around the perimeter of the inside lip of the tank, removal of anything in the tank that may be used by the roaches to climb out). As substrate, the options are flexible. If cost is an issue, the roaches will do well on regular outdoors soil, though I strongly suggest laying it out in a 1in thick layer and baking it at around 400°F for 20 minutes, or until totally dry, first, to prevent taking home unwanted hitchhikers or disease. I also strongly suggest you take extreme care to select soil that has not had fertilizer, insecticide, or any strong chemical applied, as the roaches, often detrivores in the wild, will nibble on most anything you put in their tank, including the substrate. Otherwise, coconut coir or (if the only option, for it's unsustainably harvested) peat moss will hold moisture and work well. This is not a burrowing species, an inch or two will be just fine. Just dampen it first, to prevent particulate matter from covering everything (and making you sneeze!) when you put it in the tank.

Once you have your substrate, it's on to the décor. Egg flats will work well, if cost is an issue. If it's an option, however, I suggest large flat pieces of bark and sturdy twigs: these keep humidity well in the lower layers, and this species enjoys being able to hide. It doesn't need to be cork bark, just something appropriately sized you find outside and either forget in the back of a closet for a few months to dry out, or send through the oven at the aforementioned 400°F for 20min or so. The more the better, and a 10-gallon tank can hold more than you think.

In addition to the purely utilitarian purpose of giving the roaches a hide, the contents of the tank can make it nice to look at, too. A well-set up roach tank full of handsome little guys is simply nice to look at. To this purpose, I often use plastic fake plants. I get them more than half-off at Michael's seasonally, and they really add something. Before putting them in the tank, always wash them thoroughly. I use Dawn dish soap and warm water, let them soak for a while, then give them a good scrub, let 'em dry, and throw them in the tank to arrange. For this species, it is vital that leaflitter or the equivalent be present! The nymphs are very small, and dehydrate easily. Their reliance on humidity is the strongest reason this species cannot infest. Leaflitter is the easiest means to ensure these tiny nymphs have somewhere humid to hide out, and can be gathered in most places from the outdoors. Hardwood leaves, such as oak, are preferred, but maple, ginkgo and the like will do.

Other Information

• Adult size is about 1.75in.
• Oviparous
• Wingless
• Climb well, even on glass! Ensure there is a slippery barrier to keep them in, such as an inch of petroleum jelly.

An adult Florida Skunk roach.

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