Why are dead cockroaches always found lying on their backs instead of face down?

Question

I am referrring to cockroaches who have died of natural causes or poisoning and not a violent death such as being squashed underfoot.

Answer 1

I think it's cause when they die of poisoning they kick around alot and they just flip over,

and otherwise, how could you tell if they were dead or not?

Answer 2

First, few cockroaches die on their backs in the wild. Natural death of cockroaches probably occurs in the stomach of a bird, bat or other small animal.
Second, Cockroaches are not used to living on a polished marble or vinyl floor. They are more used to a ruguous living plane including leaves and sticks and other vegetable debris. Thus when a cockroach finds itself on its back (by some mistake in its orienteering) it may have trouble righting itself if there is not debris around to grab hold of with its legs. (Try it, put a cockroach on its back on a polished floor with and without some crinkled paper.)
Third, often we come across dead cockroaches in buildings that have died of insecticide. Most of these insecticides are organophosphate nerve poisons. The nerve poison often inhibits cholinesterase, an enzyme that breaks down acetyl choline (ACh), a neurotransmitter. With extra ACh in the nervous system, the cockroach has muscular spasms which often result in the cockroach flipping on its back. Without muscular coordination the cockroach cannot right itself and eventually dies in its upside down-position.

Answer 3

I suppose since there body's contain mostly fluids while alive, that during the dehydration phase after death, the moisture evaporating happens from the easiest point of departure, their undercarriage, their body's flip. I know the upper outer part of their body is usually heavily armored, so fluids would evaporate down, not up. I am not sure, but that is my guess. You do the research and let me know.

Answer 4

ok i have no clue cause i have never seen a cockroach in real life well maybe at the local zoo where they belong or maybe on fear factor

Answer 5

May be they just play dead, the same way dogs do. When you ask a dog to play dead, they also lie on their backs, too.

Answer 6

I was denied a grant to fund a study of this exact question.

Answer 7

They do that as a deathbed ritual. Dr. Kevorkian fed them their medicine that way.

Answer 8

cos they die kicking and its easier to die kicking freely into the air than the ground

Answer 9

Here is the answer:

Answer 10

thats true...wow never thought of that!