Elliptorhina javanica, commonly known as the Halloween Hissing Cockroach, is a large, wingless species of cockroach endemic to the island of Madagascar. Despite its scientific name, it is not native to Java. It is highly popular in the pet trade due to its striking black and orange-yellow banding, which gives it its "Halloween" moniker. 
 
Key Characteristics
Hissing Sound: Like other members of the tribe Gromphadorhini, it produces a characteristic hiss by forcefully expelling air through modified respiratory openings called spiracles. This behaviour is used for defense, social interaction, and courtship.
Appearance: Adults typically feature a bold black body contrasted with vivid orange or yellow stripes. Nymphs start as tiny black insects and develop their vibrant colors as they mature through several moults.
Climbing Ability: Both adults and nymphs are skilled climbers and can scale smooth surfaces like glass or plastic.
Lifestyle: In the wild, they are semi-arboreal, inhabiting forest regions where they climb bark and branches. 
 
Basic Care Requirements
If you are keeping them as pets, their needs include:
Enclosure: A minimum 20-litre tank for a small colony, equipped with a secure lid and a barrier (like petroleum jelly) to prevent escapes.
Substrate: A 5–8 cm layer of moist coconut fiber, peat moss, or soil to maintain humidity.
Environment: They thrive in temperatures between  during the day and  at night, with humidity levels of 65–75%.
Diet: As detritivores, they eat a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables (such as apple, banana, and cucumber) supplemented with high-protein dry food like cat food or fish flakes.