Why do cochroaches survive a nuclear war?

Answer 1

Actually, it is possible. Radiologists have found that humans can safely withstand exposure to 5 rems of Radiation. A rem is the measurement of radiation dosages that will cause a measured amount of injury to human tissue. Insect researchers have found that the lethal dose for the American cockroach is 67,500 rems and for the German cockroach it is between 90,000 and 105,000 rems. The amount of radiation that cockroaches can withstand is equivalent to that of a thermonuclear explosion. However, without the waste that humans provide cockroaches would not thrive as well after the nuclear war wiped out the human species.

Your statement about cockroaches not surviving without humans is untrue. They were perfectly capable of surviving millions of years before we came along. They do not depend on us for anything. Cockroaches can and will eat anything organic. Once they are done eating the glue from the bindings of all of the books we leave behind(glue is made from animal protein), they'll move onto eating dead animals and plants. They'll be here millions of years after our species is gone. Also, it would theoretically be possible for cockroaches to survive a nuclear war if the exposure to radiation is not constant. They are about 6 to 15 times more radiation resistant than humans, since their cells are not constantly dividing like ours. So its safe to say that any roaches that are not directly exposed to the heat of a nuclear blast and are not molting (their cells divide when they molt) would be safe. That's one of those scenarios that could go either way depending on the factors.

Another answer

Cockroaches are not actually impervious to nuclear radiation. It may have a certain resistance to it due to its simple and skeletal body structure. The reason why creatures die with radiation is because of their muscles, bones, veins and marrow. So generally almost all types of insects may survive a nuclear war.

Answer 2

It is widely believed that cockroaches can withstand the radiation from a nuclear bomb. However, I could not find any documentation to back this claim up. Maybe someone else could help me in that area. However, roaches rely heavily on humans to exist. Therefore, if this hypothetical nuclear war resulted in all humans being killed (or at least most), then roaches would very much be in trouble. Particularly because they are originally from the Tropics and can only survive in colder areas because of the heating we use in our homes.

You should check out the National Geographic TV special, "Aftermath: Population Zero". It does not talk about what will happen to cockroaches after a nuclear war, but does go into a similar topic that should provide some additional insight into this question.

Biologically, roaches could possibly survive a nuclear war because their cells are not constantly dividing like ours are. Their cells divide only once per molt cycle. Cells are most vulnerable to the effects of radiation when they are dividing. Contrary to what the poster above may think, roaches can survive just fine without humans. They were here before us and will continue to enjoy life after we're gone. While cockroaches in colder climates survive by moving in with people, the majority of the world's roaches live away from people. They can eat just about anything from glue to dead animals.

Answer 3

they could survive the heat and radiation. but only if they survive the initial impact of the blast.

Answer 4

Maybe , it depends how close it is.