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Thailand Warns Against Pet Roaches
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"We shouldn't be raising them as pets especially because they can thrive on anything, all kinds of foods," Public Health Minister Sudarat Keyuraphan said in a statement dated Monday. The matter became a concern after Thai newspapers reported last week that some enterprising businessmen have brought the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach from Africa and are selling them as pets for 50 baht ($1.19) apiece at Bangkok's Chatuchak market, a sprawling warren of stalls that sell everything from antiques to military uniforms to toys.
The insect is so named because of the noise it makes during mating rituals. It is not known how and when the first imports were brought from Madagascar to Thailand.
Sudarat told reporters Tuesday that the law does not forbid the sale of cockroaches, but she is requesting vendors to stop selling them.
She said the main worry is that cockroaches breed quickly — as many as 40-60 offspring in a 60-day gestation period. The cockroaches live up to three years, so if they escape they will be very difficult to control, she said.
Cockroaches carry bacteria and viruses on their bodies, but it is not proven that they transmit disease. When feeding, the cockroaches walk, spit and defecate on the food. Some people are allergic to the droppings or remains of dead cockroaches.
A Public Health Ministry official said "a lot of people" have bought the cockroach in recent weeks. There are no figures on the number purchased or brought into the country, she said, speaking on condition of anonymity.
The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach grows up to 2.5 inches as compared to the 1.6-inch average length of the cockroaches found commonly in Thailand.
The world's largest roach, which lives in South America, is 6 inches long with a 1-foot wingspan.
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