Cockroach

Cockroach
Portrayed by	A cockroach
First appearance	Genesis
In-story stats
Known ability	None
Nickname	Roach
Home	Sylar's cell, Mohinder's apartment, Matt's cell, Kirby Plaza

Several characters have seen or talked about cockroaches.

About

Genesis

While speaking to his class at Chennai University, Dr. Mohinder Suresh cites the cockroach as the pinnacle of evolution, and lists several of its advanced attributes. Later on, Mohinder arrives at his father's apartment, and is disgusted when he steps on a cockroach that he sees on the floor.

Don't Look Back

The exterminator tells Mohinder that cockroaches have infested the floorboards of his apartment. After they scuffle, Mohinder says that cockroaches are the least of his problems.

Godsend

At Primatech Paper Co., Sylar watches a cockroach roam the floor of his cell.

The Fix

Sylar remains on the floor of his cell and watches the cockroach walking next to his head.

Unexpected

Dale notes that when she first realized her powers, the sound of a cockroach's footsteps in her neighbor's home sounded like a marching band.

.07%

While Matt is unconscious in his cell, a cockroach crawls across Matt's meal.

How to Stop an Exploding Man

At Kirby Plaza, a cockroach crawls over an open manhole cover near a trail of Sylar's blood.

Notes

• In an inteview, Tim Kring said he became fascinated with the idea of cockroaches possibly being "the pinnacle of evolution because they were so capable of adapting and existing in really troubled times." He continued, "They are so perfectly genetically engineered. So, for me, it became the embodiment of this idea of evolution."

• In a Q&A session, writers Joe Pokaski and Aron Coleite said emphatically that "Sylar did not turn into a cockroach" at the end of the season finale. They also suggested that it was symbolism that Sylar is like a human cockroach —- he's darn near impossible to completely get rid of.

Trivia

• A cockroach can hold its breath for 45 minutes and has the ability to slow down its heart rate.
• Cockroaches have a much higher radiation resistance than vertebrates (up to 15 times more resistant than humans).
• Cockroaches can survive for at least seven days (and up to a month in some cases) without a head.
• Cockroaches can also survive without eating for one month.

Gallery

• 
  A cockroach crawls across Mohinder's apartment.
• 
  Sylar watches a cockroach crawl across his cell.
• A cockroach begins to crawl into a storm drain.
  A cockroach begins to crawl into a storm drain.
• 
  Tim Sale depicts cockroaches in the Heroes pilot script.

External Links

• Cockroach — Wikipedia

Fan Theories

Please refer to Theory:Cockroach for fan-created theories and other speculation.