N.J. Science Center Holds 'Cockroach Count' (Watch If You Dare)

HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — What does a writhing, crawling, hissing mass of 2,446 cockroaches look like? Now you know.

In the cringe-inducing-but-scientific video below, two members of the Animal Interpretation Associate team at the Liberty Science Center in Jersey City release thousands of Madagascar hissing cockroaches back into their home at the center’s “Eat and Be Eaten” exhibit following their annual count.

Not extreme enough for you? Take a look at some closeup shots from the LSC's second cockroach count below.

The 2017 count came in at 2,446 cockroaches, up dramatically from last year’s 1,177, Liberty Science Center staff told Patch.

Here are the reasons for the annual count, according to the LSC:

• “To check on the health of our colony, by comparing the size with last year
• “To change the substrate – or dirt – that the roaches live in
• “It's a lot of fun”

On Wednesday, visitors at the center were invited to participate in the cockroach count by writing down their estimate on a Post-it note. This year's winner came closest with a guess of 2,150 cockroaches, staff said.

Send feedback to eric.kiefer@patch.com

Photo: Liberty Science Center, Facebook