Chilean Rose Tarantula
Grammostola rosea
The Chilean Rose Tarantula (Grammostola rosea) is a highly popular terrestrial arachnid, valued for its docility, hardiness, and characteristic pinkish coloration. Native to the arid regions of the Andes, it is known for its slow growth rate and tendency to undergo extended voluntary fasting periods.
Environnement
Terrestre
Humidité
60 - 75 %
Température diurne
22 - 27 °C
Température nocturne
18 - 22 °C
Description de l'espèce
Geographical Origin and Habitat: This species is native to the arid scrublands and desert plains (pampas) of the northern Andean regions across Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. It survives the extreme temperature fluctuations between hot days and cold nights by hiding deep inside underground burrows or under flat rocks protected from dry winds.
Taxonomy and Genetics: Belongs to the family Theraphosidae and the genus Grammostola. Two color morphs are widely recognized in the hobby: the Normal Color Form (NCF), which displays a brownish-grey body with subtle pink highlights, and the Red Color Form (RCF), which features a bright, copper-red coloration on the carapace and abdomen.
Behavior and Habits: A terrestrial and burrowing species that displays a calm and sedentary temperament, though individual behavior can vary after a molt. It is well-known for its long fasting periods, sometimes lasting over a year, triggered by seasonal changes or premolt phases, without showing signs of weight loss.
Morphology: Features a stocky body covered in dense protective hairs. Matriarchal adult females are significantly larger and heavier, reaching a legspan of up to 15 cm, and can live up to 20-25 years. Adult males are smaller, live only 4-5 years, and develop tibial apophyses (hooks) on their front legs and emboli on their pedipalps for mating.
Soins, reproduction et cohabitation
Terrarium Setup: Requires a horizontal enclosure (minimum 30x30x20 cm for an adult) with a highly ventilated lid to ensure constant airflow. The substrate should consist of 8-10 cm of firmly packed, bone-dry peat moss or coco fiber. A shallow cork bark hide and a low water dish are essential.
Lighting and Heating: Prefers temperatures between 22-25°C, with a slight drop at night to 18-20°C. They are highly adaptable to seasonal changes. Avoid direct heat lamps or unmonitored heating mats, as dry, stagnant air can quickly dehydrate them.
Humidity and Hydration: Requires dry conditions with relative humidity around 40-60%. The substrate must be kept dry; wet soil causes stress, forcing the tarantula to climb the walls. Hydration is maintained via a clean water dish, and overflowing it slightly in one corner once a month is sufficient.
Feeding and Supplementation: Carnivorous. Feed adult females 1 large roach (like Dubia) or 2 crickets every 3-4 weeks. Overfeeding must be avoided as obesity increases the risk of molting complications. Uneaten insects should be removed within 24 hours to prevent stress.
Compatibility: Strictly solitary and territorial. They must never be housed with other tarantulas or other animals due to high risks of cannibalism. Individual housing is mandatory.
Health and Common Diseases: Falls are the most dangerous threat to terrestrial tarantulas, potentially causing a fatal abdominal rupture. While generally non-aggressive, they can bite if provoked or flick irritating urticating hairs from their abdomen. Use a plastic cup and a soft paintbrush for moving the spider.
Origine et répartition géographiques
This species is native to the arid scrublands and desert plains (pampas) of the northern Andean regions across Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia. It survives the extreme temperature fluctuations between hot days and cold nights by hiding deep inside underground burrows or under flat rocks protected from dry winds.
Origine
Amérique du Sud hors Amazonie
Profil d'invertébré terrestre
- Régime alimentaire
- Carnivore
- They are opportunistic carnivores but are notorious for their incredibly slow metabolism and erratic eating habits. They may eat voraciously for weeks and then suddenly fast for months. A diet of appropriately sized crickets or roaches offered occasionally is sufficient. Overfeeding should be avoided to prevent an overly large, fragile abdomen.
- Taille adulte
- 15 cm
- Mode de vie/microhabitat
- Terrestrial
- This species leads a very sedentary and terrestrial lifestyle. They do not web extensively, usually only placing down a thin mat near their hide. They require a dry setup with a small water dish and a simple hide, as they are opportunistic burrowers but often just utilize existing crevices or stay in the open.
- Cycle d'activité
- Crepuscular
- The Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula is a largely terrestrial, slow-moving species. It exhibits primarily nocturnal behavior, emerging from its shallow hide at night to patiently ambush passing insects. However, it is not uncommon to see them sitting out in the open during the day, remaining perfectly still for hours on end.
- Sociabilité
- Solitary
- The Chilean Rose Hair is strictly solitary. They do not tolerate the presence of other tarantulas, even of the same species. Attempting to house them together will inevitably result in stress, territorial disputes, and eventually cannibalism. They must be housed individually for their entire lives.
- Reproduction
- Oviparous
- Breeding can be a slow and unpredictable process. The female may accept the male or immediately attack him. If mating is successful, the female may take many months to produce an egg sac. The slings that emerge are quite small and grow at an agonizingly slow pace compared to other tarantula species.
- Venimeux
- Yes
- Tolérance aux manipulations
- Tolerant
- While historically known as a docile beginner species, individual temperaments vary drastically. Some are calm, while others are highly defensive, quick to kick urticating hairs or adopt a threat posture. If handled, it must be done with extreme care over a soft surface, as a fall will rupture their heavy abdomen, causing a fatal injury.
- Brumation
- Non requise
- Originating from the deserts and scrublands of Chile, they can tolerate significant temperature fluctuations. While they do not require a strict brumation, they are famous for enduring long fasting periods, sometimes refusing food for several months during the cooler winter season without any adverse health effects.
- Mue
- Regular
- Like all tarantulas, they molt to grow, flipping onto their backs to extract themselves from the old exoskeleton. As a notoriously slow-growing species, molts are infrequent, especially in adults. During the molting process, all live prey must be removed, and the spider should be left completely undisturbed.
Galerie d'images
Images sous licence liées à l'espèce ou, lorsqu'elles sont indiquées, au taxon représentatif le plus proche.
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