Last night my dad dissected a cockroach. I didn't know how, so he showed us (me and my siblings) how to.

Click here to see more photos.

First you slit along the edges of the cockroach. (No Picture)

Then, you take your forceps (tweezers), pinch the rear end, and gently pull up. While you do this, take your scalpel and just touch the flesh with it. Don't pull so hard that the cockroach will come flying up at you.

Now you can cut off the bottom exoskeleton. On the exoskeleton, there will be little tubes. These are the air tubes, which carry air to the insect. Insects have what's called an "open circulatory system." This means that their blood does not flow in tubes, but kinda' flows all through their body.

When this is done, pin down the sides of the cockroach with pins. Insect pins will work, but "T" pins are better.

After you are done with this, you can gently slice the fat, etc. that covers the intestines. Now take your forceps and gently dislodge the "guts."

Now you can slit along in between the legs. This will expose the leg muscles.

Well, that's about all!

Gollum