Cockroaches Have Individual Personalities, Researchers Report

New research indicates that "cockroaches have personalities," as scientists say in a statement. Specifically, they have two, the Guardian reports. The discovery could help explain their evolutionary success.

Scientists observed the character traits as they studied the way the “gregarious insect” seeks shelter when they come out into the open.

If they had the same personalities they would all behave exactly the same when in the open but observations have revealed clear differences.

Some, those classified as shy, keep hidden as much as possible and seek the safety of shelter while the more adventurous are keen to explore their surroundings.

Isaac Planas Sitjà, one of the researchers from the Université libre de Bruxelles that uncovered the personalities, said: “We have categorized the observed personalities. We call them “shy or cautious” and “bold or explorers.”

The findings have been published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, the research team said: “From studying the way they find shelter, we show that individuals have consistent behavior which can differ between individuals in a group - cockroaches have personalities.”