can cockroaches survive in space
Cockroaches have been around for over 320 million years, and they’ve survived some pretty rough conditions. To put that in perspective, that’s before the age of dinosaurs. Yes, even back then cockroaches were skittering under logs and hiding from primitive reptiles and amphibians. Now, we know why these creepy crawlers have managed to survive all those eons: because they’re able to adapt to almost any circumstance. They can live anywhere from the driest deserts to the most humid rainforests, in saltwater or freshwater, on land or in trees. They are also one of the few creatures that can remain unharmed after being set on fire. So it should come as no surprise that cockroaches have also been known to survive a trip into outer space!
Back in time
Cockroaches have been around for a long time. You can find fossils of cockroaches that are about 320 million years old. That’s before the age of dinosaurs. Cockroaches were skittering under logs and hiding from primitive reptiles and amphibians. Even before humans were around, cockroaches were thriving. They were able to adapt to almost any circumstance. They can live anywhere from the driest deserts to the most humid rainforests, in saltwater or freshwater, on land or in trees. They can even withstand extremely cold temperatures. And, they are also one of the few creatures that can remain unharmed after being set on fire. So it should come as no surprise that cockroaches have also been known to survive a trip into outer space!
So how do cockroaches survive in space?
We’ve talked about the different environments cockroaches can survive in, but the real question is – How do they do it? How do bugs survive in space? And the answer is – by going into a state of suspended animation called cryptobiosis. In this state, their metabolism slows down dramatically to almost nothing, which allows them to survive for a long period of time without food or water and also keeps them from dying from the lack of oxygen. A lot of creatures can survive in space unharmed, but they can only do it for a very short amount of time. Cockroaches, on the other hand, can survive for weeks in a state of suspended animation.
How can cockroaches breathe without air?
As we mentioned above, roaches go into a state of suspended animation during space travel. This means they have slowed down their metabolism, which also stops the need for oxygen. This is also why they can live without food or water. The organisms on the space shuttle and the International Space Station have been studied under the same conditions. It’s been found that they can survive without oxygen for up to 10 days. Any longer than that, and they die. And that’s why cockroaches can breathe in space. They have slowed their metabolism down so much that they don’t need oxygen. This is known as anaerobic respiration. So, how do these bugs survive in space? They go into a state of suspended animation, slowing their metabolism and breathing almost nothing.
Adapting to the vacuum of space
Cockroaches are able to survive in space because they can adapt to the conditions. They can also adapt to sudden changes in pressure. This Adaptability in the face of sudden changes is one of the main reasons why they can survive in space. Because there is no air pressure in space, most creatures would die within seconds. But cockroaches are able to adapt to the vacuum of space. They do this by going into a state of suspended animation, slowing their metabolism and breathing almost nothing. This way, the creatures can survive for several weeks.
Roach drop test
As scary as it sounds, NASA has actually done a “roach drop test”. It sounds awful, but it actually shows how these creatures can survive in space. The roaches are placed in small containers attached to balloons. Then, the balloons are dropped from high altitudes, simulating the conditions in space. The containers are fitted with sensors that monitor the pressure and temperature inside. Scientists could then see what happens to the bugs in space. After months of testing, they found that cockroaches could survive in the vacuum of space.
Final thoughts
Cockroaches are some of the creepiest and dirtiest bugs around. They’re also some of the most resilient. With the ability to survive in just about any environment, it’s no wonder they’ve been around for hundreds of millions of years. They have managed to survive all sorts of catastrophes throughout the years, including natural disasters and even a trip into space. They have been able to survive because they can adapt to almost any environment and can go into a state of suspended animation where they don’t need water, oxygen, or food. It’s no wonder cockroaches have survived for so long. They’re one of the most adaptable insects on the planet and can survive almost anything!
can cockroaches survive in space
