Distended abdomen vs. non distended

[Vulgaris]

Anybody know why sometimes the abdomen is distended and sometimes it is not?

Here is an example

 

[Matt K]

Anybody know why sometimes the abdomen is distended and sometimes it is not?

Could be avariety of reasons that are all normal. Just fed vs. not fed in a while. Gravid vs. not. Close to a molt vs. not (thought not in this case), excess fluid retention, to name a few. It would be most helpful if you cited the conditions in which the roach lives and when it was last watered/fed/etc.

 

[Vulgaris]

They are in a small container with dirt as substrate. The photos were taken right before a feeding/watering, so it had been a few days since the previous feeding/watering. You know, I did see one of them carrying an ootheca around the other day (which she has since laid), so that might be the reason.

 

[demon]

Have you found any new babies?

 

[Ralph]

In addition to the factors Matt said, I wonder if this is just a body-type difference. We had that discussion with hissers.

 

[Vulgaris]

Can't be, because sometimes both of them have distended abdomens.

No hatchlings. here's a photo of all their ooths http://bugguide.net/node/view/387331