Can Cockroaches Survive Nuclear Explosions? Let’s Find Out. Cockroaches are one of the most frightening creatures that can inhabit a building. In fact, it is rumored that cockroaches were used to scare enemy troops in the Vietnam War. They may be disgusting, but these ugly black bugs have impressed many people with how they can survive almost anything. Can they, however, survive an atomic bomb? Many people believe they can survive dinosaurs and even nuclear attacks, but the reality is they won’t stand a chance. The fact that cockroaches can survive a nuclear explosion has caused many people to wonder, can cockroaches survive a nuclear bomb? It’s a big question that more and more people are wondering as the world becomes more technologically advanced. More countries are stockpiling nuclear weapons and with the looming threat of terrorism spreading across the globe, there is always the chance that a terrorist organization will obtain these weapons. People are studying facts like “How long can humans go without water” and “How long would it take for zombies to take over the world”, and perhaps the most vital question may be, “Can cockroaches survive after armageddon or an apocalypse?” Cockroaches are among the hardiest creatures on Earth, which is why they have survived the millennia, adapting to all manner of environments from decimated, apocalyptic cities to your grandmother’s guest bathroom. As if these endurance abilities weren’t impressive enough, there are many rumors and theories surrounding their magical powers. While the cockroach’s superpowers are the stuff of myths and legends, most people seem unable to differentiate between fact and fiction.

Can Cockroaches Survive Nuclear Explosions

Radiation Basics

Before we can talk about how cockroaches might fair in a nuclear explosion, it’s important to first know exactly what radiation is. Radiation refers to the energy that’s released from unstable atoms and can be emitted as either particulate or electromagnetic waves. Particulate radiation, which includes alpha and beta particles for instance, is made up of matter that can either be positively or negatively charged. Electromagnetic radiation, on the other hand, refers to the energy within electromagnetic waves. An example of this type of radiation includes X-rays and light waves.

Radiation itself isn’t necessarily dangerous—in fact, people are exposed to natural background radiation through their environments every day. However, when people are exposed to high doses of ionizing radiation in short amounts of time or low doses over long periods of time (such as years), they’re at a greater risk for developing health problems such as cancer and cataracts.

So what makes ionizing radiation so dangerous? Well, it all has to do with when atoms become “ionized,” or lose electrons following an interaction with high-energy photons (or particles). This process results in atoms that now have a net positive charge because they’ve lost negative electrons but retained their positive protons. These charged ions are more likely to interact with biological molecules — think DNA — via chemical reactions that can then cause damage if left unrepaired by the body’s natural repair systems (more on this later).

The History of Cockroaches and Nuclear Explosions

Cockroaches have been proven to survive the aftermath of a nuclear explosion; however, they are not unique in this respect. Many species of insects, including flies and cockroaches, have lived through the impact of nuclear weapons.

The first nuclear weapon was used during World War II on August 6th, 1945. Following that event, further tests were done using nuclear bombs throughout the 1950s and 1960s. One such test took place in 1955 when scientists bombed a desert area in Nevada with a bomb five times larger than the one that hit Japan in 1945. The researchers then studied the animal life that had survived following the bomb’s detonation. They found that many species had survived, including flies and cockroaches.

The Effects of Radiation on Cockroaches

Knowing how to measure radiation exposure is important when trying to find out what amounts of radiation will kill cockroaches. The International System of Units measurement for radiation exposure is the Sievert, or Sv. This measurement tells us how much energy is deposited into living tissue by ionizing radiation. A millisievert, mSv, is 1/1000 of a Sievert. A dose of 1 mSv per year is considered the limit for accumulated exposure in one year for people who work with radioactive materials.

The International Commission on Radiological Protection has set a level-of-concern for acute radiation syndrome at 100 mSv (0.1 Sv) received over a short period of time (usually a matter of hours). If you receive 100 mSv in an hour, your life could be in danger from acute radiation syndrome, which occurs when blood producing cells die off and you have low levels of red blood cells and platelets.

Takeaway:Yes, cockroaches can survive nuclear explosions.

Cockroaches can survive nuclear explosions as long as they are not directly hit by the blast and are within a few miles of ground zero. The radiation produced by a nuclear explosion is not enough to kill cockroaches. Cockroaches have also been known to survive on spacecraft, so it would make sense that they could survive in the aftermath of a nuclear explosion.

Cockroaches do not need oxygen, food or water for over a month and can live without their head for an entire week, making them one of the hardiest creatures on earth. This makes them able to withstand almost anything.