Welcome to My Webpage on Rose Hair Tarantula Care!

As far as pets are concerned, rose hair tarantulas (also known as Chilean rose hair tarantulas) are relatively low maintenance. They're inexpensive to feed and require little maintenance. While many people find spiders frightening, this particular species is rather docile, making it the most common tarantula sold. Rose hairs are also very durable which is why they're so easy to care for. While males live for only four or five years, females can live up to 15 to twenty years.

Habitat

A small glass or plastic terrarium is best, as they neither need nor want a lot of space (in fact, baby tarantulas are often kept in pill bottles until they reach a certain size). Make sure that it has a securable lid, as these spiders like to climb the walls and ceilings.The bottom of your terrarium should be covered with either peat moss, high quality chemical-free potting soil, orchid bark, sandy soil or vermiculite (make sure your pet isn't eating the vermiculite though). Make sure that whatever substrate you decide to use is 3 - 5 inches deep, as some tarantulas like to burrow. However, anything that your spider can hide in should suffice.

Safety

Rose hair tarantulas are noctural and nearly blind; they find their way around by feeling with their legs. They tend to be clumsy and move very slowly, so put only a minimal amount of objects in the terrarium. Keep heavy things (such as water dishes and objects they can hide in) placed firmly into your substrate, as your pet can easily climb onto something unstable and pull it down on itself. Leaning a light branch of plastic leaves against the side of the terrarium or other heavy object may be good place for your spider to get some shade, but other than that, it's not recommended to keep much in its home.

Climate

The temperature in your pet's home should always be around 80° F. If you find it difficult to keep the terrarium that the proper climate, you can place a heating pad underneath it. Heating lamps should never be used, as rose hairs dislike bright light. There should also be a small heavy bowl of water available at all times. On the rare occasion you might see your pet dipping its mandables in for a drink; they don't need very much as they get most of their water from the humidity in the air. You should mist the terrarium two or three times a week.

Feeding

There is some debate over how often one should feed a rose hair tarantula; two to five times a week is about the average. Some will eat more than others, but if you find your spider is hording a small group of silk "balls", you may want to feed it less. As a side note, do not attempt to touch your spider's stockpile; this is one of the rare times that they are likely to attack you. Rose hairs are very possessive of their food.

Nutrition

You can buy crickets, mealworms, silkworms or any larva for a very low price at most pet stores. It's best to buy insects that have been specifically raised for pet consumption as they're usually fed food that will benefit your spider. Ask an employee how much you should feed your spider, as different insects have different amounts of nutrients. For example, a tarantula would have to eat four or five mealworms to get the nutrition it needs, whereas one cricket has the same amount. If you feed your spider anything that isn't a larva, be sure not to leave it in the terrarium for more than a few hours. Rose hairs are so docile that crickets and roaches can actually harm them.

Defense

Of course, it's important to keep your tarantula out of reach of small children or other pets (though some pets will sit for hours watching your spider). While all tarantulas are venomous, most people react to bites with itching and irritation. However, some people may be more sensitive so you may want to limit your interaction. Rose hairs also have hairs on their abdomen that they eject when they feel threatened, and these also cause irritation.