Cockroaches are known for their remarkable resilience and ability to survive in harsh conditions. A cockroach can live without food for about one month. They have a slow metabolism and can go into a state of reduced activity to conserve energy. However, this extended survival without food does not apply when it comes to water.
Without water, a cockroach's survival is much more limited. Typically, they can only survive without water for about one week. Cockroaches can absorb moisture from their food, but when an external source of water is unavailable, they face dehydration quickly.
The resilience of cockroaches is due to their ability to enter a state of dormancy and lower their metabolic rate when food or water is scarce. Additionally, they can use their fat stores to survive over longer periods without food. However, the absence of water will ultimately lead to their death much more rapidly than the absence of food.
In summary, a cockroach can survive without food for approximately one month and without water for about one week. This ability to withstand food and water shortages contributes to their success as pests in various environments.