Cockroaches Can Survive Nuclear War

Cockroaches are remarkably resistant to radiation, able to survive exposure levels 6-15 times higher than what would kill humans. They can withstand about 6,400 rads of radiation, while humans die from exposure to just 400-1,000 rads. This resistance comes from their simple cell structure and slower cell division rate - radiation primarily damages rapidly dividing cells. However, contrary to popular belief, cockroaches wouldn't be the ultimate survivors of nuclear war. Some bacteria, certain insects like fruit flies, and even some plants would likely outlast cockroaches in a post-nuclear environment. The myth arose from atomic bomb tests where cockroaches were among the survivors.