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photo by Hannah Reel
McLaurin Elementary School student Austin Heard, 9, handles his pet hissing cockroaches at his home Wednesday.
Boy collects cockroaches
Published Thursday, April 9, 2009
NATCHEZ — The mere mention of a cockroach is a major turn-off for most people.
Now imagine larger-than-life cockroaches.
They’re big and black, they have sticky feet and make a very unsettling hissing sound with their abdomen when they’re intimidated.
For one Natchez boy, they’re ideal pets.
Austin Heard, 9, is rasing the big black bugs in this mother’s house.
In three little plastic cages he’s got about 75 of them.
When he picks up two of the cages the roaches scurry up and down the plastic wall.
Heard, with no hesitancy whatsoever, handles the Madagascar Hissing Cockroaches frequently.
He touches the insects with the same care most kids use on puppies or rabbits.
But then, puppies and rabbits don’t hide out under shirt collars.
“I like them,” he said as three or four of them crawled over his chest and under his arm. “I like this hissing, and they’re fast.”
As he explains why he likes the bugs, his uncle, Darryl Grennell searches under the sofa for a runaway roach.
Grennell, an Adams County supervisor, gave his nephew just a few of the giant roaches as a gift approximately two years ago.
Grennell admits it was an odd gift, but had a good reason.
“It was a way to get him interested in science, and living things,” Grennell said.
And the plan worked.
As Heard sits on the floor corralling roaches, he rattles off fact after fact about the crawling critters.
And some of those facts are based on observations Heard has made on his own.
He explains in detail the similarities between the cleaning practices of cats and his cockroaches.
“They lick, just like cats,” Heard said. “But you can see the tongues.”
He also speculates the bugs touch their antenna together for communication.
And on occasion Heard takes his box of bugs to school for show and tell.
He said the other kids either run away scared or have lots of questions.
And watching Heard on the floor, it appears Grennell’s plan might have instilled more than just a like of science.
Heard said he’d like to be an entomologist when he grows up.
Austin is the son of Andy and Ann Heard.
Comments
Posted by Hunter (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 12:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
OH. MY. GOD.
Posted by scarlettohara (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 12:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Hunter...you literally took the words right out of my mouth. That is EXACTLY what I intended to comment!!
Somebody please give me a flexiril, or some other muscle relaxant, so that my toes can become uncurled.
Posted by ViLou2True (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 1:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Any one have a gallon of RAID? the lil cans might not work on this big fella... ha ha
Posted by rib (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 2:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)
in two years, two roaches are seventy-five. Is this insect native to MS? what happens if it is introduced into our city? what in the hell is going on?
Posted by rib (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 2:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madagascar_...
Posted by hytekrednek (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 4:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
right on for the kid keep thinking outside the box, now raise up another batch find some one you don't like then give them a present!
Posted by lreid (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 5:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Congratulations to this young scientist! It's great to see that Austin is being encouraged to explore the natural world. Hopefully, his family and teachers will continue to provide him with opportunities to learn.
Posted by ladybuggs (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 6:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
he's such a cute little boy ,but i'm afraid as hell of all buggs mostly of ants. he's our future scientist way to go Austin...
Posted by showbiz (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thats GREAT Austin so good to see a young mind at work he'll be a great Entomologist. Those of you who live downtown Natchez could find a unique batch of roaches they run around the side walks like lil soldiers protecting the forts.
Posted by kpage1 (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ewwwwww! But this little guy can learn much with his pets. Make Natchez proud, Austin!!!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Although I LOATHE roaches of any kind, I think being a boy, this is just one of the things they like to do. They love frogs and all kinds of icky things! Congrats to the future scientist as some of you have had the insight to observe!
Posted by womanofgod (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
hytekrednek... That was a funny comment you left! Lol...
I like that idea :)
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is way cool Austin! I love bugs. And teach, it is not only boys - my girls loved playing with worms and frogs! It's all in they way you are raised.
Posted by 4real (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
He's just having fun. As a Health Science graduate, I think this is great! The roaches are harmless, unless you are a male roach who wants to fight another male roach. Then they have a better intelligence than some humans because one of them walks away. I watch National Geographic and Animal Planet all the time. Can't remember which one the roaches were on. Austin, YOU ROCK!
Posted by Natchezbear (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 9:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
And it Hisss at you...........Get gaudet on the phone at Dr Bug!
Posted by Teach4Peace (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 9:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Freedom, my comment was geared toward what I witnessed, I fished and did things like that as a kid and it was in those times, I collected my own bait worms to do so, there are always exceptions.
Posted by firered (Elizabeth Geter) on April 9, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm not too big on roaches either!! But I think it is AWESOME that Austin is interested in something that keeps his mind active and well educated! Austin I hope you exceed to your highest potential in life! I think that you will make a great entomologist, or whatever else you may choose to be when you grow up! Keep fueling your new found passion for science!! You are making your community proud!
Posted by geauxtigers (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Ew?
His parents are WAY better people than I am.
Posted by drawpaintsing (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 10:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"Like uncle, like nephew!" I can see you being a scientist, Austin!
Posted by Hardcorps (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
ladybuggs is skeered of buggs. Giggle snerkle snort snort :-)
Posted by fanatic (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 11 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, you seem to be very knowledgeable about these creatures. We might see you on Animal Planet one day Mr. Scooty!
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I think it's nice a kid take an interest in a particular thing, but roaches! They are so nasty & they carry diseases. People pay big money to get rid of then now a kid carries them around in a box. Say what you like I can't but help speak my opinion on this odd collestion.
Bottom line is I am scared to death of them.
Posted by 4real (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 1:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)
These particular roaches aren't diseased, that is why they make safe pets. However, when people get them, they usually get males only to control an over prodcution of the offspring. Of course no one wants to deal with roaches this size, and you don't have to. The hissing sound is made by their bellies. It's the air they blow out. I could get real scientific, but I don't want to lose anybody. The sound is made only when they feel intimidated or when two males have a disagreement.
Posted by happyreader (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 2:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
So... the roaches hiss by, um, passing gas? Double-ew. At least they don't fly... do they?
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
They have no wings to fly. Anyway, teach, I was only standing up for us tom-boys! Didn't mean to step on your toes. Sorry.
Posted by JoyceLewis (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Austin, I am so very proud of you, your parents and grandparents to allow the roaches into their homes. I met you and your roaches a few weeks ago and learned quite a bit from you about the roaches within the first 5 minutes we shared. Keep up the good work and continue to educate others. Sacramento, CA
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 4:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wing or no wings they are disgusting, and should be stompped! Some do fly!
Austin there are so many other insects go find one of them, some people probably never heard of. Get a beetle they're are just about the same thing.
Seriously Austin if that's what you like go for it but don't get upset when people like myself run.
Posted by freedom42 (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 5:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)
dixiemama - the palmetto bugs (big roaches) and German Brown roaches that we have here do fly. These don't. They don't have any wings. I don't remember you being scared of bugs as a kid? LOL
Posted by buttercup26 (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ewwwww no indeed! hahaha no indeed!
Posted by faithblessings (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 6:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Nasty.......diseases...........
Posted by dixiemama (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 6:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
freedom42
I wasn't until I3 was about 1 and a boy thinking it would be funny put one down my back, it got inside my blouse. I've had a phobia since. I've even considered hypnotists but they sat you have to touch them to overcome your fear & can't do that or should I say won't do that.
Now as for it being the type that doesn't fly or carry dieseases that still doesn't make it not a roach!
Posted by priya (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Can I have austin's phone number so if i see any of them critters. Instead of screaming for my husband or running away from them. I can call this boy up and pay him to take them things out of our home?
Does he like lizard's too?
Posted by SandraSue (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I hate roaches! Several years ago I was getting bulletin board supplies out of the classroom cabinet. A huge (about 3 inches long) sewer roach ran up my arm and onto my back. I totally lost all control and began hyper-ventilating,the sixth grade girls screamed in unison, and total bedlam broke out in the classroom. The boys bravely came to my rescue and retrieved it before it got into my hair. They all had a stomping good time trying to be the hero and kill the varmint. After the boys discovered my fear of roaches,I began to find plastic roaches in odd places near my desk.God bless all the science teachers!
Posted by msfixit (anonymous) on April 9, 2009 at 8:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Priya, I hate roaches, but I could help with lizards. In my younger days I used to wear live ones as earrings. They'd clamp on your ear with their little teeth (they don't hurt) and hang there for a long time.
Posted by priya (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 9:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)
i fainted now hearing about 3 inch long roaches!!!
misfixit I would be glad to let you know when I need a lizard out of our house and my husband or friends are busy.
Most the time i run from the spot i seen it and try to avoid that area again.
My husband laughs at me.
Posted by noneya (anonymous) on April 10, 2009 at 12:37 p.m. (Suggest removal)
If he likes to hear them hiss, wonder how he feels about the "crunch" sound they make when you step on them?
Posted by trulyblessed (anonymous) on April 13, 2009 at 7:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
This is a 9 year old boy, and by the way an excellent reader. I am sure is not very pleased with some of the sarcastic remarks on here. when is sad that a child is doing something productive and of interest to him. He needs words of encouragement. Hopefully he will use your ignorant comments as stepping stones, pack themunder his feet, in order that he may persevere. At the tender age of 9, he has more intelligence than some of you all. You all need to read about things before making sure comments. His uncle is an excellent scientist and I am sure he would never give his nephew something that would harm him or anyone else.
Posted by natashakubelikov (anonymous) on April 14, 2009 at 11:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
hmmm interesting
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