Chilean Rose Tarantula Care

Quick Facts

Common Name: Chilean Rose Tarantula

Latin Name: Grammostola cala

Native To: Chile

Size:Chilean Rose Tarantulas tend to have a body length of about 1.5in/4cm, with a leg span of about 4in/10cm, as adults.

Weight: Approximately 70 grams

Life Span:Females have a life span of 6-14 years, whereas males die soon after maturity with a lifespan of only 3-6 years.

Housing Your Tarantula

A wooden vivarium will help your Chilean Rose Tarantula to feel safe in its environment, while allowing you to watch it move around. A 2 foot vivarium will provide plenty of space for your tarantula to move around. Wooden vivariums provide much easier temperature control for your tarantula's environment than glass tanks.

Temperature & Light

A temperature of between 24°C and 27°C (75 - 80°F) should be maintained in the vivarium at all times. Temperature can be maintained by using infrared heat bulbs, ceramic emitters or a heat mat. The heat mat should be half the size of the vivarium and should be placed inside a wooden vivarium.

Substrate

A variety of substrates are suitable for the Chilean Rose Tarantula, including Corncob Granules and Bark.

Behaviour

Chilean Rose Tarantulas are terrestrial (they live on the ground) and they are nocturnal (active at night). They tend to be an ideal tarantula for beginners as they are docile and unlikely to bite. Handling any tarantula comes with risks, they can all bite and are all venomous. Although the venom of the Chilean Rose is mild and unlikely to cause serious harm, getting bitten is far from pleasant.

Diet

On average offer small amounts of food regularly once a week. They eat invertebrates such as crickets, mealworms, wax-moth larvae, locusts, Do not leave uneaten live food to over run the vivarium as these will annoy, stress or damage the tarantula. Any uneaten food should be removed within 24 hours.

Maintenance

The vivarium should be inspected daily and any faeces removed. The water should be changed every day and the water dish cleaned on a weekly basis. The substrate should be changed on a monthly basis.

Moulting

Chilean Rose Tarantulas shed more frequently when they are young, from 2 - 3 times a year, and when older usually on an annual basis. Before they shed they often do not eat for several weeks, and it is advised during this period not to leave live food in their tanks for long periods of time. Always ensure the humidity in the viv is at least 55% or higher, however, no more than 75%.