Why Cockroaches Might Be The Last Ones Standing If There's A Nuclear Attack
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The possibility of using nuclear weapons is also growing as tensions between India and Pakistan continue to escalate.
War never ends well; it causes great pain, extensive devastation, shattered families, and the death of innumerable innocent people. Following the recent tragic attack in Pahalgam, a popular tourist attraction in Jammu and Kashmir, tensions between India and Pakistan have recently escalated to a boiling point.
The possibility of the use of nuclear weapons is also growing as the hostilities between the nations continue to escalate. These weapons haven't been used since the United States dropped atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. Hundreds of thousands of people died, and entire cities were reduced to rubble—the devastation was unthinkable.
The world was stunned when the full details of those bombings were revealed after the war. Although practically all life had been destroyed by the extreme radiation, cockroaches had survived, which was one of the most startling discoveries.
Surprisingly, this species had survived circumstances that were fatal to almost all other living things. Although entire cities and civilisations were destroyed by the nuclear bomb, how did cockroaches survive? Scientists became intrigued by this perplexing phenomenon and began to investigate it. Their discoveries were intriguing and unexpected.
There are numerous types of cockroaches, according to a report from pestworld.org. As per the scientists, there are more than 4,000 different species of cockroaches in the world. Four of these thousands of species are regarded as actual pests, and only around 30 of them are linked to human habitats.
Among the most well-known species are the Oriental, Asian, German, and American cockroaches, respectively. The diseases that cause typhoid, salmonella, leprosy, and tuberculosis can be carried by these cockroaches. For this reason, a lot of people think cockroaches are unclean and possibly harmful.
Cockroaches are thought to have been on Earth for almost 100 times longer than humans, according to the website AMDRO. These insects are renowned for their toughness and resilience, which allow them to endure harsh environments. There are even those who think that cockroaches could survive a nuclear conflict. As nocturnal creatures, cockroaches tend to stay away from light.
Able to Survive for Weeks Without a Head
It may surprise you to learn that certain cockroach species can live for weeks without their heads, as per reports. Yes, it's true! Cockroaches can breathe through microscopic holes in their body segments and do not bleed to death like humans do. Because of this, a cockroach's body can reportedly survive for weeks even if its head is severed.
First Published:
May 12, 2025, 12:08 IST
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