Grammostola rosea 'Chilean Rose'

About Grammostola rosea

Grammostola rosea is a New World terrestrial tarantula from the deserts and scrublands of Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. It has been a staple of the pet trade for decades and is often the first tarantula people encounter. Adults are typically a warm brown with a pinkish or rose-tinged carapace — though colouration varies considerably.

A note on identification: G. rosea and G. porteri are frequently sold interchangeably under the "Chilean Rose" label. They are in fact separate species, but their care requirements are essentially identical. Unless you purchased from a specialist breeder with confirmed identification, you may have either species.

Females live 15–20 years; males typically 3–5 years. Growth rate is slow to moderate.

Enclosure

G. rosea is terrestrial and comes from arid environments. It needs a dry setup quite different from tropical species:

• Enclosure: 30×25×20 cm for an adult — floor space over height
• Substrate: dry coconut fibre, or a mix of coir and sand, 8–10 cm deep
• A cork bark hide or half-log retreat
• A shallow water dish — essential even for arid species
• Keep the substrate mostly dry — this species does not tolerate damp conditions well

Some specimens will burrow; others will use a provided hide and never dig. Both behaviours are normal.

Temperature, humidity & water

This species tolerates cooler temperatures than most tarantulas. 20–25°C is ideal — they do not need supplemental heating in most homes. Avoid temperatures above 28°C, which can cause stress.

Humidity should be kept at 50–65%. This is an arid-adapted species and excess moisture causes problems. Do not mist the enclosure regularly. A water dish provides sufficient humidity. Overflow it occasionally to lightly dampen the immediate surrounding substrate, but the bulk of the enclosure should remain dry.

Feeding & fasting

G. rosea is infamous for fasting. Healthy specimens may refuse food for weeks, months, or in extreme cases close to a year. This is normal Grammostola behaviour and not a sign of illness, provided the abdomen is not visibly shrunken or wrinkled.

When feeding, offer appropriately sized crickets, dubia roaches, or mealworms every 7–10 days. They are not enthusiastic feeders even when eating — meals may be ignored for hours before being taken. Remove uneaten prey within 24 hours.

After moulting, wait at least 1–2 weeks before offering food. Moulting frequency decreases as the spider ages — adult females may moult only once every 1–2 years.

Tarantulas moult by flipping onto their backs. If you find your tarantula lying upside-down, it is almost certainly moulting — not dead. Do not touch it, do not spray it, and do not attempt to help. The process can take several hours. Leave it completely undisturbed.

Temperament & handling

G. rosea is generally calm but has a reputation for being slightly more unpredictable than other beginner species. Most are docile, but individual temperaments vary — some specimens are hair-kickers or occasionally defensive. As a New World species, urticating hairs are the primary defence.

The same handling cautions apply as with all tarantulas: falls are dangerous, handling is for your benefit not theirs, and a catch cup is always safer than bare hands. If your specimen is calm and you want to handle, stay low and move slowly.

If urticating hairs contact you

• If hairs contact your skin, use tape to remove them and wash the area
• If hairs get in your eyes, flush immediately with clean water and see a doctor — do not rub
• Wash hands after handling or cleaning the enclosure