Welcome to the ultimate Chilean Rose Tarantula care guide!
This species of tarantula is one of the most popular in the pet hobby, and it’s no wonder.
With their unique and beautiful appearance, it’s no surprise that they make for an interesting and engaging pet.
In this Grammostola rosea guide, you’ll learn how to select and purchase the tarantula, how to create the best enclosure for its needs, and the best dietary and health care for your new pet.
Read on to learn more!
| Characteristics: | |
|---|---|
| Common Name | Chilean Rose Tarantula, Rose Hair Tarantula |
| Family Name | Theraphosidae |
| Scientific Name | Grammostola rosea |
| Use | Pets |
| Temperament | Non-aggressive |
| Lifespan | Males: 2-5 years / Females: Up to 20 years |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Adult Size | 4-5 inches |
| Breeding Type | Egg Layer |
| Care Level | Moderate |
| Minimum Tank Size | 15 Gallons |
| pH | 6.0-7.5 |
| Hardness | Moderate |
| Temperature | 72-82°F |
What Are Chilean Rose Tarantulas?
Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, also known by their scientific name Grammostola rosea and by the common name “Rose Hair Tarantula”, is a species of arachnid found in parts of South America.
The common name of this vibrant tarantula likely comes from its very distinctive bright rose-colored hairs that cover its entire body.
These gentle and docile spiders can make wonderful companions and are known for their striking colors and easy handling.
What Do Chilean Rose Tarantulas Look Like?
This species is relatively small, with an average adult size of 4-5 inches in leg span.
A fully-grown Grammostola rosea has an overall light to medium brown coloration, covered in various shades of pink, red, and orange spots.
The abdomen contains light brown hairs, with darker brown stripes on the legs and carapace.
They also have a distinct pattern on their back, consisting of a triangle shape pointing towards the head and edged with slightly lighter coloration.
Benefits Of Using Chilean Rose Tarantulas
Rose Hair Tarantulas are popular additions to vivariums due to their stunning appearance and relative ease of care.
Because they’re relatively small, they don’t need a large enclosure, making them ideal for those who have limited space.
In addition, they’re considered among one of the more docile species of tarantulas, making them a good choice for beginners.
If kept in the right environment with a suitable diet, they can live for many years and provide interesting and engaging pet companionship.
Chilean Rose Tarantula Facts
Grammostola rosea are recognizable for their bright, deep pink coloration, and are insectivores with a gentle temperament.
They have a lifespan of several years and can be bred in captivity with some preparation.
Chilean Rose Tarantulas are venomous but their venom isn’t known to be fatal to humans.
Habitat
Grammostola rosea is a species of tarantula native to the Andes mountain range in Chile.
This species is known to inhabit several areas, including the east of the Atacama desert, northern Argentina, southern Perm, and Bolivia.
In the wild, these tarantulas can be found in a range of different habitats such as grasslands, woodlands, and deserts.
These habitats offer an abundance of cover and prey, necessary for their survival.
Like many tarantulas, the Chilean Rose Tarantula is a burrower.
In the wild, they are known to dig burrows with several chambers that they stay in for protection and reproduction.
This species of tarantula remains active during the morning and evening hours when the temperatures are cooler and the chance of dehydration is minimized.
They spend their days hiding in their burrows or under rocks, only emerging at night to hunt for prey.
Diet
In the wild, these tarantulas feed mainly on insects such as crickets, cockroaches, moths, and other small insects.
They will also consume smaller spiders and lizards if given the chance. As these tarantulas grow older, they may even eat small rodents.
They can be opportunistic feeders, which means that they will consume whatever food they find.
Out in nature, Chilean Rose Tarantulas often eat prey that has already been killed or injured by other animals.
They will also scavenge carrion and feed on decaying animals if they come across them.
This means that Grammostola rosea has very powerful digestive tracts and can tolerate eating food that has gone off.
These tarantulas will also gorge on their prey if they find a large source of food, which can make them overly full and sick.
Therefore, it’s important to monitor their diet in captivity and ensure they are getting the right nutrition.
Temperament
Grammostola rosea is generally quite docile and gentle around humans and is in fact among the most handleable of tarantula species.
They rarely bite, and can even be held in the hand if properly tackled.
It is best to supervise handling sessions and put the tarantula back in its enclosure if it shows signs of stress.
Despite their calm nature around humans, Chilean Rose Tarantulas can show aggression toward other animals.
They are territorial and can become defensive when their enclosures are disturbed, so it is good practice to ensure that there are no other pets in the area.
Lifespan
The average lifespan of a Rose Hair Tarantula is approximately 10 to 15 years.
However, they could live up to 15 to 20 years, depending on living conditions and care.
Generally speaking, females are longer-lived than males.
Grammostola rosea goes through the typical life cycle of any spider species, with some variations.
This process, beginning as an egg and reaching maturity, involves the five stages of an egg, spiderling/larva, juvenile, subadult, and adult.
The spider goes through several molts, during which it grows bigger. After the final molt, the tarantula is considered an adult.
Breeding
Chilean Rose Tarantulas generally mate between the months of October-April, with the males and females living completely separate lives outside of mating season.
For mating to take place, the female must accept the male, and as soon as mating is complete, the male should be removed immediately.
Once the female has mated she will enter pre-molting, where she will locate an appropriate location to make a silk egg sac.
She will then shed her exoskeleton and lay around fifty to one hundred eggs within that web.
Several short weeks later, the spiderlings will hatch, and the female will protect them for several weeks.
The spiderlings will quickly disperse once they become independent, and they reach full maturity around two years.
Where To Find Chilean Rose Tarantulas
Grammostola rosea is native to Chile, Argentina, Peru, and western Brazil.
They can occasionally be found in the wild by seasoned tarantula enthusiasts, however, they are usually bred in captivity as part of the exotic pet trade.
When looking for this species for sale, be sure to look out for reputable breeders and sellers.
Because this species is so popular, there is always the risk of buying a wild-caught spider, which may not be healthy or may not be suitable for a captive environment.
It is advisable to look for sellers who specialize in this species and can provide information on where the spider was sourced from.
Make sure that the seller can answer questions about the tarantula’s history, diet, and any aspects of its care.
As with all tarantula purchases, it is recommended to ask for pictures of the spider before purchase to ensure that it is healthy and free of any visible issues.
Chilean Rose Tarantula Care
The Chilean Rose Tarantula is a popular pet that requires a secure enclosure with an appropriate terrarium substrate, temperature, and humidity to thrive.
They should be fed a diet of insects, arachnids, and occasional vertebrates, with feeding frequency depending on their age and size.
Proper health care involves watching for signs of stress and illness and addressing any common health problems such as mites, molting issues, and viruses.
They should not be handled frequently but can be done so safely if necessary.
Tank Requirements
When it comes to the ideal tank requirements for Grammostola rosea, the most essential things to consider are the type of vivarium, humidity, temperature, substrate, and lighting.
A terrarium or shallow paludarium with a secure top/lid works best and should provide at least 15 gallons of space per tarantula.
The pH should be in a range of 6.0-7.5, the hardness from 4-8, the temperature between 72-80F, and the humidity should be between 70-80%.
The substrate should be a mixture of peat moss, forest bark, and coco fiber soil with pieces of driftwood and rock for additional enrichment and hiding spots.
In addition, you should make sure to provide 12-14 hours of low-wattage terrarium lighting each day.
What Do Chilean Rose Tarantulas Eat?
Feeding a Rose Hair Tarantula is relatively easy, with some supervision.
It’s helpful to remember that this species is mainly an insectivore, meaning they mostly feed on other insects.
Offer a variety of insects that are small enough for your tarantula to eat, such as live crickets, roaches, flies, small worms, or locusts.
Be sure to feed your tarantula on a regular basis.
Depending on size and age, they may need to be fed every couple of days, but can often absorb moisture from their enclosure too.
Finally, make sure all feeder insects are free from any type of pesticide.
Here is a quick list of food that you can feed Grammostola rosea:
- Crickets
- Mealworms
- Roaches
- Small worms
- Locusts
If you’re looking for a more detailed approach to feeding these arachnids, be sure to check out my ultimate DIY tarantula food guide. I give a more in-depth explanation of the best foods and my favorite recipe.
Best Tankmates For Chilean Rose Tarantulas
The Chilean Rose Tarantula is a solitary creature by nature; it doesn’t like to be kept with conspecifics (other Grammostola rosea) or any other species.
However, there are a few animals that have similar beneficial qualities that can be kept with these tarantulas.
Invertebrates, such as small millipedes, springtails, or isopods, are excellent tankmates for Rose Hair Tarantulas.
These small creatures help in controlling the food waste, cage debris, and mold in the enclosure.
Conclusion
Congratulations! You’ve now successfully completed your crash course on Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula care.
By equipping yourself with the knowledge from this guide, you’ll have confidence in taking proper care of Grammostola rosea.
If you’re feeling particularly adventurous, you can find more in-depth guides and resources for further information on the care of this intriguing species.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, Chilean rose tarantulas make great pets due to their calm temperament and hardy nature. Even novice spider owners can successfully care for these tarantulas with a little knowledge and research.
Chilean rose tarantulas possess venom, but their venom is considered to be mild and not harmful to humans, usually causing only mild irritation or discomfort if a bite occurs.
Chilean rose tarantulas typically eat once every one to two weeks, but the frequency can vary depending on factors such as the tarantula’s age, size, and individual metabolism.
No, Chilean rose tarantulas are not aggressive. They are generally docile creatures that are rarely provoked to bite or attack humans.
As long as you handle them with care and properly attend to their needs, they should make great pet tarantulas.
Chilean rose tarantulas may bite if disturbed or mishandled, but their venom is typically not fatal. These spiders are generally not aggressive and will only bite as a last resort. Always take proper safety precautions when caring for them to prevent painful accidents.
Rose hair tarantulas (also known as Chilean rose tarantulas) were once abundant in the pet trade, but due to habitat destruction and overcollection, wild populations have decreased, leading to their scarcity in the market. Additionally, breeding challenges and the slow growth rate of these tarantulas contribute to their limited availability.
Yes, rose hair tarantulas can be held but it is important to handle them gently and with care. This tarantula species can become distressed if handled too roughly, so always take proper safety precautions when handling them. Always supervise children when they are around these tarantulas as well.
If a rose hair tarantula bites a human, it can cause localized pain, redness, and swelling at the site of the bite. However, their venom is generally considered mild and not harmful to humans, with symptoms typically resembling a bee or wasp sting.