When chocolates just won’t do: Name a roach after your valentine

This Valentine’s Day, name a Madagascar hissing cockroach after your ex – or mother-in-law – or a loved one who’s an incredibly good sport.

The Name-a-Roach program was first launched at the Bronx Zoo in 2011. Apparently people are still coming out of the woodwork to participate.

The zoo said Monday that thousands of “hopeless” – or perhaps hapless – “romantics” have taken advantage of the strange sweetheart deal.

Each lucky recipient is emailed a colorful certificate. The $10 goes to the Wildlife Conservation Society.

The zoo’s website features a jarring glamour shot – a 2-inch-wide roach image, resplendent amid the rose petals.

Among the selling points: the creature’s “surprisingly high tolerance for radiation.”

The headline: “Seal it with a Hiss.”

Online: http://www.bronxzoo.com/roach

This story was originally published February 9, 2015 at 1:52 PM with the headline "When chocolates just won’t do: Name a roach after your valentine."