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In a currently running Orkin (pest control) commercial, it is claimed that a cockroach can live for week with its head cut off. Assuming this statement is correct, is such a headless beastie really alive?
Originally posted by noahfor
Do you believe it was consciously alive when it had a head? Computers respond to stimuli. Are they alive?
Originally posted by noahfor
Do you believe it was consciously alive when it had a head? Computers respond to stimuli. Are they alive?
Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
So the only function for a cockroach's head and brain is to operate a mouth so it can drink? Perhaps their brains are not all in their heads?
It is very skeptical and I won't believe it unless I can see it myself. First, chicken is a bird, which is warm-blooded and the function of its brain is more or less the same as that of human. If a chicken can live without a head, we humans can do the same also.Originally posted by maximus
you think headless cockroaches are impressive? check this out.
Originally posted by KL Kam
It is very skeptical and I won't believe it unless I can see it myself. First, chicken is a bird, which is warm-blooded and the function of its brain is more or less the same as that of human. If a chicken can live without a head, we humans can do the same also.
Second, it will lose lots of blood and will die in a minute or 2. The main blood vessel which supplies blood to the brain is in the neck.
Third, the brain controls heart beats, breathing and movements. I do wonder how it could walk around without a head.
I see.Originally posted by Ivan Seeking
Hey KL, The key to this was that the entire brain was not removed. The top of the head was cut, but enough was left for the thing to live. Really his face was cut off more than his head.
I have seen film of this bird in action.
Originally posted by KL Kam
I see.
I saw the chicken's head was put on a table(the last picture), that's why I thought the head was cut out, together with the brain.
Despite popular belief, cockroaches do not require their heads to survive. While their heads do contain important sensory organs, they are not essential for basic bodily functions like breathing and circulation. Cockroaches also have a decentralized nervous system, which means they have clusters of nerves throughout their body instead of one central brain. This allows them to continue living even without their head.
This can vary depending on the species of cockroach, but on average, a headless cockroach can survive for around a week. This is because they are able to still eat and drink without their head, and their decentralized nervous system allows them to continue basic functions for a period of time.
Yes, headless cockroaches do exhibit some different behaviors compared to their intact counterparts. They may move in circles or have difficulty navigating obstacles due to the loss of their sensory organs. They may also become more active and aggressive due to the lack of inhibitory signals from their brain.
Yes, female cockroaches can reproduce without their head. They are able to lay eggs and continue their reproductive cycle as long as they have their abdomen intact. However, without a male cockroach, they will only produce unfertilized eggs.
This is a controversial topic and opinions may vary. Some argue that cockroaches are pests and therefore it is acceptable to conduct experiments on them. Others argue that all living creatures should be treated with respect and their suffering should be minimized. Ultimately, it is up to the individual and their own moral beliefs.