A cockroach is a flat, brown or black insect with long antennae and six legs that can run extremely fast. Cockroaches are famous for being nearly indestructible: they can survive for weeks without food, live for days without their heads, and adapt to almost any environment on Earth. Scientists have found cockroach fossils over 300 million years old, meaning these insects lived alongside the dinosaurs and outlasted them.

Most cockroaches live outdoors in warm, moist places like under logs or in leaf piles, where they help break down dead plants and wood. However, some species have learned to thrive in human buildings, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where they can find food crumbs and water. These indoor cockroaches are considered pests because they can spread germs and contaminate food.

People often use cockroach as a comparison for something that's incredibly hard to get rid of or seems to survive against all odds. If someone says a rumor spreads like cockroaches, they mean it's nearly impossible to stop. Despite their reputation as disgusting pests, cockroaches are remarkable survivors whose toughness has fascinated scientists studying how life adapts and endures.