Why and how have cockroaches survived 280 million years on earth?

Answer 1

because they're equipped to survive! they can live in the worst of conditions in the smallest spaces, they lay eggs like crazy, they can live up to 9 days after being decapitated, and they could survive a nuclear war. why? when times are bad, they just go dormant. when times are good, they'll just pick up where they left off.
they are the ultimate pest!
p.s. never step on a cockroach to kill it... if it's a female, you could be trekking eggs everywhere, including your house!

Answer 2

The cockroach is also one of the hardiest insects on the planet, capable of living for a month without food; being able to survive even on the glue from the back of postage stamps(which happens to be really terrible as food). It can also hold its breath for 45 minutes and has the ability to slow down its heart rate. Cockroaches are even more tolerant to radiation up to 6- 18 times then humans, due to some cell dividing reason, they only divide cells when during the molting cycle, that's when they are equally vulnerable to us, but after that.. they become 6-18 more resistant to radiation... cockroaches can survive decapitation for a very long period to human standards, they still can breathe, reproduce and eat even!.. but of course become unable to fend for themselves and eventually die. Cockroaches can also survive temperatures up to 80 degrees celsius for really long time..

Answer 3

They are adaptable, will eat anything, can fly, are able to hide in small crevices etc etc. There are many species of cockroaches, so clearly the general makeup of them is quite well suited to many environments.

Answer 4

They have been able to adapt to any situation that has been thrown at them.
An asteroid didn't kill the dinosaurs.their inability to adapt did.

Answer 5

they have a tremendous ability to adapt.

Answer 6

by making more babies