If just the thought of ‘cockroaches’ can send shivers down your spine, you’re not alone! The insect has been much reviled by people all over the world, but do they really deserve such a bad reputation? One Japanese zoo doesn’t think so. In fact, they believe that they can change the perception of the cockroach from one of disgust to something bordering on respect using their new cockroach exhibit.
Japanese Zoo Wants You to Think About Cockroaches Differently
At Shunanshi Tokuyama Zoo, a rather odd exhibition has just opened: a cockroach exhibition. The zoo, located in Yamaguchi, Japan, is trying to educate the public about the cockroach’s often-overlooked, but crucial role in the food chain consuming decaying carcasses and dead plants.
Though many readers who suffer from katsaridaphobia may already be writing the Japanese zoo on their “Nope!” lists, the zoo staff wants everyone to give the insects a chance by showing cockroaches in a different light.
Zoo Lets You Hold Cockroaches, Race Them
The exhibit features over 200 cockroaches from 15 different species. The Madagascar Hissing Cockroach can even be held by zoo-goers. Of course, if you have small hands, the 7-centimeter bug may not entirely fit.
No one will force you to hold a cockroach, but they may persuade you to stay for the cockroach race. The race pits 5 cockroaches against each other in a competition of speed and agility, which is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime event for most people.
The exhibition has already gained popularity as a spokeswoman from the zoo says nearly 80% of visitors drop in to pet, watch, squirm and–perhaps, most importantly–learn about the insects.
Cockroaches Are Insects, too!
Cockroaches don’t have a glamorous role in society, but they have had a number of features in popular culture, including in songs like La Cucaracha, literally translated to “a cockroach” from Spanish.
Not all appearances for the cockroach are bad in movies either, like in Joe’s Apartment where cockroaches band together to help out their friend Joe. Both in that movie and in recent hits such as Wall-E , cockroaches have been shown to be gregarious–if you can remember, the tiny robot’s best friend is an adorable little cockroach who survived all those years of planetary decay.
Cockroaches have been around since dinosaurs and will purportedly outlive us, so perhaps the Japanese zoo is right after all. Cockroaches, although still aesthetically unpleasant, should be seen in a different light and given the same regards as other insects.
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Think Cockroaches Are Gross? Japanese Zoo Invites You To Change Perspectives
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