Chilean rose tarantula
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| Grammostola rosea (Walckenaer, 1837) |
The Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea) is probably one of the most common species of tarantula available in pet stores today, due to the large number of wild caught specimens exported cheaply from their native Chile into the US pet trade. G. rosea originates from the northern Atacama Desert region of Chile, which is one of the driest deserts on earth. The fact that they are relatively docile, quite low maintenance and also very beautiful make them exceedingly good pets. They can be kept quite easily in a terrarium that measures at least twice its leg span in length. G. rosea is a desert species which needs to be kept in low humidity. They should have water provided in an open dish filled with moss (this is to keep the spider from falling in and drowning). These spiders are quite happy living at room temperatures of around 20-30°C, and a diet of four to six crickets every 2 weeks.
While this particular species of tarantula is considered a hardy and docile pet, it is well known for being possibly the most unpredictable of the pet tarantulas. Their feeding schedule is particularly erratic, and it is not unusual for them to go on fasts for several weeks to several months or more. Fasting is sometimes an indication of an upcoming moult, but other times comes and goes unexplained.A turantula can go without food for one year, so if you do go away alot then a turantula is a perfect pet!
This species of tarantula is often known to be very inactive for long periods of time, earning it the nickname of "pet rock". However, there is much variation in "personality" between individual tarantulas of this species.
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