Imagine… a nuclear bomb has been dropped on the world. Cities are reduced to ashes, the air is poisoned, the land is scorched, and much of life, including humans, is wiped out. But amidst this devastation, there is a small creature that neither burns from the heat, nor dies from the radiation, nor is shaken by the end of the world. What is there in this creature that keeps breathing despite terrible explosions? This mystery surprises even the scientists. Let’s find out.
How did cockroaches survive after World War II?
The atomic bomb attacks on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the Second World War forced the world to think about how fragile human civilization is. While the radiation spread in the air killed everything from humans to animals, when scientists surveyed the area after this disaster, a shocking thing came to light: a large number of cockroaches were found alive. This was no less than a shock for the world.
How did the cockroaches survive?
Scientists began extensive research to understand how cockroaches survived when humans could die instantly from exposure to too much radiation. The results of this research took the cockroach’s abilities to a new level. First, it was discovered that cockroaches can withstand much more radiation than humans. Humans can die from radiation as low as 800 rads, while cockroaches can withstand up to 10,000 rads. This difference is so big that it is surprising to understand it. According to scientists, the main harm caused by a nuclear bomb is not radiation, but the intense heat and energy released immediately after the explosion. This is why the cockroaches that were very close to the blast died instantly. However, those who were further away were exposed to radiation and survived.
Why don’t cockroaches die from radiation?
The answer to why cockroaches do not die from radiation lies in the characteristics of the cells of their body. Human cells divide very rapidly, and the faster they divide, the more dangerous the effects of radiation are. This process happens very slowly in the body of the cockroach, which happens only once a week. Due to this, radiation does not damage their cells immediately.
Cockroaches lost their lives in the blasts in Japan
During the explosions in Japan, gamma rays reached approximately 10,300 rad. This was a direct threat of death to humans, but the cockroaches endured it. Therefore, scientists believe that if there is ever a major disaster on Earth that will wipe out humans and other large creatures, then creatures like cockroaches will survive the longest.
