Chilean Rose Tarantula

Chilean Rose Tarantula Information

Chilean Rose Tarantulas are native to the deserts and scrublands of South America. They can be found in northern Chile, parts of Bolivia and Argentina

Physical Appearance of Chilean Rose Tarantulas

Temperament of Chilean Rose Tarantulas

Chilean Rose is one of the most docile species of Tarantulas, but they are solitary and don’t do well in groups. Sometimes they can get aggressive with other Tarantulas. Females may even eat the males if left alone for too long. They should always be housed alone.

They are active at night and will spend most of their day hiding. They are ground dwelling Tarantulas and like to burrow. They usually move slowly.

Tarantulas release urticating hairs. Their urticating hair is not harmful but can cause skin or eye irritation in humans. They should be handled with care.

Their Compatibility with Children

While these Chilean Rose Tarantulas aren’t aggressive, children still shouldn’t handle them. The skin irritation caused by the Tarantula’s hair can cause itching or rashes on children’s skin. Children need to wash their hands if they interact with your Chilean Rose or their cage. Washing their hands should remove any urticating hairs that children could have come in contact with.

Living Space for Chilean Rose Tarantulas

Cage Size

Adult Chilean Rose Tarantulas can live in a small enclosure of 5 to 10 gallons. Most people follow the rule that the width of the tank should be at least 3 times the length of the Tarantula’s leg span.

Substrate

While Chilean Rose Tarantulas like to burrow in the wild, they aren’t known for burrowing in captivity. Still giving them a deep substrate is recommended. Their tank should have a substrate at least 2 inches deep. Peat moss, soil, shredded coconut husk or vermiculite should be used as a substrate.

Decorations

Create hiding spaces for them with a small hollow branch, clean driftwood, cork, and small flower pots. These hides should be large enough to let your Tarantulas hide completely.A few plants can be added to mimic their natural environment. If you add living plants make sure they’re not planted in the substrate. Keep them in small pots and push the pot down into the substrate. Setting up plants like this will make sure you don’t have to uproot the plants when the substrate is cleaned. Only add non-toxic plants that won’t harm your Tarantulas.

Water Source

Place a shallow water bowl inside their tank. Clean and replace the water bowl every day. When changing the water try not to spill because it can make the substrate damp. They don’t like a damp substrate.

Best Climate for Chilean Rose Tarantulas

Temperature

If your home’s temperature is cooler than 70°F you’ll want to use an under tank reptile heat mat. The mat should cover only one-third of their tank because this will help create a warm and hot area inside. The temperature on the hot side should be between 75°F to 80°F and around 70°F on the warm side.  

Humidity

Chilean Rose Tarantulas come from dry desert areas and don’t need a high humidity in their enclosure. Misting the inside of their tank shouldn’t be needed. Try to keep the humidity in their enclosure between 50% and 65%. 

If they seem to spend time near the water bowl it could be because the humidity is very low, especially during winters. Slightly raising the humidity should help.

Lighting

Tarantulas are nocturnal and don’t need lighting equipment for your pet because they’re nocturnal. If you want lights to watch them we suggest using a strip of LED lighting and keeping it at a dim setting. Their cage should be kept at a location that doesn’t get direct sunlight because it can overheat them.

Because Tarantulas are nocturnal they don’t need UV lights.

The Attention a Chilean Rose Tarantulas Needs

Chilean Rose Tarantulas are docile and can be handled occasionally. Too much handling should be avoided because it can stress them. Be careful while handling them because their hairs can cause irritation.

Tarantulas in general don’t need a lot of attention. Most of their attention needs have to do with keeping the temperature and humidity high enough for them, and keeping their cage clean. Because Chilean Rose Tarantulas are hardy, they might not need additional equipment for heat. A few thermometers and hygrometers should still be added so that the temperature and humidity can be monitored.

Health Issues

Common health issues in Tarantulas are:

Abdominal Fractures

Symptoms of Insect Abdominal Fractures

Insect abdominal fractures can be quite difficult to identify, but there are several signs to look out for. One of the most obvious symptoms is hemorrhaging or bleeding from the area of the fracture. A fractured insect can appear to be immobile or lethargic, and could also have difficulty walking. In cases where the fracture is more severe, the insect might have signs of paralysis.

Dehydration

Insects are particularly susceptible to dehydration because their bodies are made up mostly of water. In order to survive in an arid environment, they must be able to conserve water and stop it from evaporating out of their bodies. To hold onto water, insects have several strategies for dealing with dehydration.

First and foremost, many insects have developed thick cuticle layers that help reduce the amount of water that is lost through evaporation. This cuticle layer is often made up of waxes, oils and other substances that act as a barrier to prevent water loss.

Insects also have mechanisms for controlling their water intake. Some insects are able to regulate their water intake by closing off the opening in their trachea when environmental conditions become too dry. This helps stop the insect from becoming dehydrated.

Oral Nematodes

Oral nematodes are a group of parasitic worms that feed on the tissues of insects. They are typically found in the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, as well as other internal organs. There are hundreds of species of these nematodes, which vary in size and shape. While most species are harmless to humans and other animals, some can pose a serious threat to crops and livestock. Some species of insect oral nematodes are known to be vectors for a number of diseases, including Bartonella, Onchocerca volvulus, and Thelazia californiensis.

Symptoms of Insect Oral Nematodes

Symptoms of Oral Nematodes vary depending on the species of nematode present. Generally, infected insects will have irritation and inflammation in their mouth, esophagus and stomach, which can lead to problems eating or drinking. More severe cases of infection can cause the insect to become lethargic and anemia caused by blood loss from the parasites. In some cases, the infection can even be fatal.

Molting Problems

Molting is a process where insects shed their exoskeleton in order to grow and develop. While this process is integral for insect survival, it can also cause some major problems. Insects can have molting problems due to environmental factors, diet or genetics. These issues can lead to incomplete molts, malformations, developmental delays and even death.

Incomplete molts are a common molting problem. If an insect does not shed its exoskeleton completely, the new one can become stuck. As a result, the insect will not be able to grow or develop properly. In some cases, the old exoskeleton may even suffocate the insect if it’s not removed quickly enough.

Diet can also play a role in molting problems. An inadequate or unbalanced diet can cause the insect to be unable to molt properly. Some insects are sensitive to certain foods or chemicals and these substances can interfere with the molting process.

Genetics can also cause molting issues. Some insects have genetic mutations that can cause malformations or developmental delays. These issues can lead to problems during the molting process and can even be fatal if the insect is unable to shed its exoskeleton completely or in time.

General Chilean Rose Tarantulas Care

Tarantulas don’t need a lot of care except for cleaning their tank.

Their tank should be spot cleaned every other day. The entire enclosure should be cleaned thoroughly and the bedding changed about once every six months

Feeding A Chilean Rose Tarantula

Related Questions:

Why are Chilean Rose Tarantulas Popular?

Chilean Rose Tarantulas are slow moving, calm and easy to handle insects. They can live in a small tank of around 10 gallons, making it easy to create a living space for them. Their personality as well as easy set up makes them popular with beginners. They are available at many pet stores because of their popularity.

What are Other Names for Chilean Rose Tarantulas?

They are also called Rose Hair Tarantula, Chilean Rose-Haired Tarantulas or Chilean Fire Tarantula.