With its antennae flicking like whips, a cockroach probes the ground. It stops when it detects an opening at the base of a wall. Even though the crack is wafer-thin, this nocturnal creature isn’t about to turn around, not when a bright light shines behind it. There are gentle puffs of air back there, too, and a scientist’s occasional nudges. Once the scientist seals the other exit, there’s only one way out. So, the desperate creature bashes its head against the crevice a couple of times. Then it pitches downward, squeezing and squirming through the tiny slit.
Slipping Through the Cracks
Kaushik Jayaram is an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of Colorado Boulder. A favorite subject of his to study is cockroaches. These dreaded household pests can infest homes, spread disease, and contaminate food. They’re one of the fastest
