BRONX, N.Y. — January 15, 2026 — Today, the Bronx Zoo announced the return of its beloved Name-a-Roach campaign, a Valentine’s Day tradition that welcomes fans near and far to ditch the chocolates and seal their love or loathing with a hiss. With the purchase of any Name-a-Roach package, donors can symbolically adopt and name a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach after someone on their mind, and receive a certificate to prove it.

Donation levels start at $15 and include gifts like a roach plus, belt bag, beanie, or virtual Wild Encounter to meet a live Madagascar hissing cockroach, chat with experts, and encounter another surprise animal guest.

Name-a-Roach 2025 gift packages include:

  • The “Original” 
Digital Certificate | $15
    • Name a Bronx Zoo Madagascar hissing cockroach for your loved (or not-so-loved) one. The original name-a-roach gift, complete with a digital certificate.
  • Valentine’s Virtual Encounter | $35
    • Curl up with your special someone for a romantic Valentine's Virtual Encounter* with a Madagascar hissing cockroach—and a special surprise animal guest. Chat live with the experts about caring for these unique and charming creatures.
Includes a digital certificate.
  •  Make it a little wilder: Mystery Box | $70
    • Give them the full package this Valentine’s Day with two mystery roach-tastic surprise gifts from possibilities including roach socks, roach beanie, roach cross-body bag, roach plush, or roach tumbler. Plus, a printed certificate with their roach’s name, and a very crawly Valentine's Virtual Encounter* on February 13, 14, or 15 with a Madagascar hissing cockroach – and a surprise animal guest.

Supplies are limited, so guests are encouraged to place their orders today to secure a truly unforgettable Valentine’s Day gift. Orders must be placed by Friday, February 6, 2026, in order to receive the gift by February 14th (US shipping only). Name-a-Roach gift orders can be placed at BronxZoo.com/Roach.

Since 2011, the Name-a-Roach tradition has captured the hearts of Bronx Zoo fans, the widest reaches of the internet, and even celebrities. Nearly 60,000 cockroaches have been named after loved ones, pesky exes, pop culture idols, and more since the origin of the program.

Donations help the Wildlife Conservation Society protect animals, big and small, at the Bronx Zoo and around the world. Place your order today to spread the love-bug this season, then visit the roaches for yourself at the Bronx Zoo’s Madagascar! exhibit.

Follow the Bronx Zoo on social media channels for updates and more: Facebook | Instagram | X | YouTube

*All encounter reservations are final. Due to limited availability there are no refunds, cancellations or rescheduling. Valentine’s Virtual Encounter reservation is for 1 login and information will be sent to the gift recipient at the address and email address provided. Guests who fail to login for the encounter forfeit the full value of the program. Live program is approximately 15 minutes long.

**Mystery box contains two randomly selected roach-themed products. There are five possible product options. Items are packed randomly in advance and gifts cannot be requested or specifically selected. Mystery box items are final sale and cannot be exchanged.

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