Pests or athletes - how cockroaches are run

Cockroach racing is a gambling entertainment with an unpredictable ending. Thrill lovers make a tote by betting on insects with sonorous names. Exotic entertainment appeared in ancient Egypt and the Roman Empire. The most popular cockroach races in Australia. The country hosts an annual six-legged sprint tournament called the Golden Cup. In Russia, cockroach races have become a popular show at corporate parties and club parties.

Competition History

The use of exotic animals and insects in recreational competitions originates in Ancient Egypt, the Roman Empire and Byzantium. In this simple way, sailors of the Caribbean brightened up their leisure time. Cockroach runs were especially popular in Turkey. There appeared a lot of gaming establishments, suppliers growing insects on special farms. A symbolic figure in the field of Turkish cockroach racing was Shahin Fesah. He organized the largest supply chain for sprint races. The illegal activity of the Kurdish related to gambling was exposed by journalists.

In Russia, cockroach races were organized in the 18-19 centuries. Large insects were not available, but they were successfully replaced by black and red brethren. In a short period of time, the competition became commercial, treadmills for mustached athletes appeared in tires. After the war of 1812, cockroach races were organized officially. For entertainment, the black insects tinted the antennae in yellow. The intensity of the atmosphere of excitement was not inferior to other competitions, whole fortunes were played on the sweepstakes.

Information. Classics of Russian literature talked about carrying out cockroach races. Competitions were described by Alexey Tolstoy in the work “The Adventures of Nevzorov or Ibicus”, Mikhail Bulgakov in “Run”.

Why ram racing has been popular for centuries? There are several reasons:

• The originality of the event. Insect racing is an exotic competition that few people have seen. An even smaller number participated in them as the owner of the cockroach or participant in the totalizator.
• Exotic atmosphere of excitement. Huge Madagascar cockroaches are unusual participants in the competition, so they cause a storm of emotions and feelings in the audience.
• Availability of running. The competition can be held in any room. Insects need only a transparent box or ring.

Hissing athletes

The best participant in the competition is the Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa). This is a large insect ranging in size from 55 to 100 cm in length. Adults are browned in front of the body, head and legs are almost black. Madagascar endemic animals have become popular pets. They are large, not dangerous to humans, eat plants and fruits. The body of the adult is flattened, with a wide abdomen, covered with durable chitin. Insects have no wings, so they cannot escape from the competition.

Interesting fact. Madagascar cockroaches are capable of making loud hissing sounds. Their source is air passed through the spiracles on the abdomen.The intensity of the hiss changes depending on the purpose of the signals. By such sounds, insects repel predators and communicate with each other. Females choose males with the loudest hiss.

The males participate in the competitions. They differ in two convex horns on the prothorax. Shy cockroaches, activated in the dark. In the afternoon, they prefer to sleep in dark, damp places. Insects are heat-loving, develop at a temperature in the range of 25-30 ° C. Life expectancy of 2-3 years, individual individuals live up to 5 years. The old insect features a light carapace.

Content and Nutrition

Future sprinters are grown in plastic or glass containers. The design should have a cover so that insects do not run away, climbing along vertical walls. Insects need litter from sawdust, cardboard trays or driftwood for shelter. The optimum temperature is 25-28 °. Tropical residents need humidity of about 70%. Suitable conditions are created by spraying. Cockroaches are provided with constant access to water. In search of laying cotton so that insects do not drown.

Breeding them is simple, just buy a couple of adults. The female carries offspring for about 55-60 days. Larvae are born white and soft. Before becoming adults, they molt 6-7 times. At the age of 6-7 months, cockroaches reach medium size (5-6 cm) and are ready for competition. Future sprinters are trained by running bottled races.

Runners are omnivores, eating vegetables and fruits, herbs, eggs and dry dog ​​food. Favorite food - carrots and bananas. Before the race, hissing athletes are put on a diet. They are not fed 2-3 days before the competition. Hungry runners are becoming more active. The speed of insects is 4 km / h. Some participants before the competition drink their cockroaches with white wine so that they become mobile.

Information. The use of male cockroach as a runner is explained by the peculiarities of reproduction. Insects do not carry swelling with eggs like most members of this family. The female Gromphadorhina portentosa is viviparous. The appearance of numerous larvae during the race can ruin the competition.

Experienced competition organizers do not recommend the use of black and red cockroaches. Insects are mobile, but small and poorly controlled.

Basic Racing Rules

To organize cockroach races you need a minimum of accessories. The main item is a box with 5-8 tracks. The length of the structure is 150 cm. The paths are separated from each other and painted in different colors. This allows you to monitor the insects, and participants can not leave the designated gutter. A miniature hippodrome can be rented, an experienced organizer will tell you all the details and features of the competition.

The race participants are brought in special containers on which the nickname, age and other data are written. Spectators, if desired, choose a cockroach they like and place a bet on it. Insects are placed at the beginning of the track behind a special barrier. At the signal, the obstacle is removed and the mustachioed athletes simultaneously start. To stimulate a run, light is lit.

The best option is to move the cockroach to the opposite side, but not all participants are so active. Some insects, running away from the start, are taken to study the walls of the groove. At this moment, drovers are connected. They gently with sticks push the participant in the right direction. One run lasts about 5 minutes. The winner receives a prize. The most interesting thing about the competition is its unpredictability. The favorite of the race at the last moment before the finish line can turn around and run in the opposite direction.

There are several race options:

1. Traditional cockroach runs in a transparent box. Separate straight paths (grooves) are made for insects 1.5 m long. To make the insects run at the start, they turn on the light, forcing them to go in search of a secluded place. Cockroach owners or spectators who have bet on a participant can customize them.Sticks, lanterns, and straws are used, through which runners are blown. The main thing to be careful and not cripple the insect.
2. The place of competition is a ring with a diameter of 3-5 m. Cockroaches are left in the center and covered with a container. On command, they are released. Running insects is unlimited in a certain direction. The winner is the one who first reaches the border of the ring anywhere.
3. The most spectacular cockroach races with obstacles and loads fixed to the insect. Owners make miniature harness and trolleys with cargo. Original races are popular in the USA.

Fans of exotic competitions know the names of cockroach favorites nicknamed. They are given sonorous, memorable names "Balboa", "Queen of the Sewerage", "Ruthless Ivan", "Persistent Nina." A worthy replacement for Madagascar cockroaches are Colombian. Insects are approximately the same size (from 5 to 9.5 cm), have a brown color and are nocturnal. South American insects are popular in the Caribbean.

Australia - Cockroach Race Center

The remote continent has become a modern center for cockroach racing. The coastal town of Australia Brisbane on January 26 gathers tropical insect racing enthusiasts and just wanting to have fun. This is the only place where running races and tote are allowed officially. The spectacular event turned into a grand festival called the Australian Cockroach Race Day. The program includes a hissing sprint race and a costume ball where Miss Cocky Races is chosen.

The tradition began with a debate in one of the pubs about the speed of local cockroaches. Gambling Australians staged a competition of caught insects in the parking lot of the institution. The event quickly became popular. Every year, thousands of spectators gather at the Story Bridge Hotel to cheer on hissing runners. Everyone can participate with their pet. It is enough to pay the entry fee of $ 4. The lack of their own Madagascar cockroach is not a problem, it can be rented.

Interesting fact. In Brisbane, the "Hall of Fame" winners cockroach races. Every year it is replenished with new names. The most popular is the first Soft Cocky champion.

The program consists of several types of competitions: running a direct short distance, a race with overcoming obstacles and the main start - the Golden Cup race. Before the competition a group of bagpipes is playing. The competition day consists of 14 starts, in each 20 cockroaches are allowed in the ring. Insects are released by the organizer in the center of the circle with a diameter of 6 m. They randomly scatter in different directions, and two or three whiskered athletes freeze in place. Bets can be made not only by participants and guests of the championship, but also by gambling spectators. Racing is broadcast on television.

The owner of the winning cockroach receives a prize from the sponsor, and other finalists are awarded. The prize goes not only to the fastest, but also to the most attractive participant. A special jury evaluates the exterior of cockroaches. The competition is not for enrichment, all income is allowed to charity.

Information. With all the external harmlessness, cockroach events violate the rights of animals and are legally considered cruel treatment.

Gambling is a popular pastime for people around the world. Cockroach racing is one of the most exotic competitions that can tickle the nerves of participants and spectators. Original entertainment becomes available in large cities and finds a lot of fans.