Cockroaches are fascinating insects that have lived on Earth for around 250 million years, going back to the time when dinosaurs walked the world. Cockroaches are known to have survived the 66 million-year-old asteroid collision that destroyed dinosaurs and subsequently watched the emergence of humanity. According to the expert, cockroaches can survive in any habitat, including cold and severe tropical temperatures.
Cockroaches are virtually hard to stop because they can squeeze through gaps one-fourth their height in less than a second. Furthermore, these little critters can run at 320 km/h, which translates to 50 body lengths every second. Not only that, but they can withstand crushing weight since they have a weight tolerance of over 900 times their body weight and can even survive for a week without their heads.
Cockroaches and nuclear disaster
According to popular belief, cockroaches may survive nuclear disasters, and this claim gained traction following the United States' nuclear bombings on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Cockroaches were reportedly observed around the rubble and damaged.
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An extensive study on the subject has revealed that cockroaches can withstand radiation. A radiation of 1,000 rads was released during the explosions in Japan, which is enough to kill people if they are exposed to such radiation for 10 minutes.
However, half of the cockroaches exposed to this radiation survived. Not only that, but up to 30% of cockroaches exposed to an astounding 10,000 rads of radiation would stay healthy. However, this appears to be the limit of their tolerance, since the survival rate of cockroaches after this level was shown to be minimal.
Cockroaches are well known for their reputation as invasive house pests, and you may have seen them in your closet, ceiling, or even on the streets. So, the next time you spot one observe it with more respect. It will probably outlive your next seven generations! Just kidding.