Meet Bob and Janet—the collective name for our entire colony of Madagascar hissing cockroaches. This lively group came to Earthplace as a donation and has become a staple in our education programs.

Madagascar hissing cockroaches have an impressive résumé: they’ve appeared in movies like Men in Black, and Hollywood loves them because they’re large, don’t fly, and can hiss with dramatic flair. Here at Earthplace, they help us teach visitors about insects, adaptations, and misunderstood species.

Sponsoring Bob and Janet supports the care and upkeep of their terrarium—regular cleaning, fresh substrate, and nutritious foods like veggies, fruit, and dog kibble—and it also helps strengthen our education outreach. They may be small, but they bring surprising star power to Earthplace.