Chile Rose Tarantula

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Common Names:

Chilean Rose

Scientific Name:

Grammostola rosea (Walkaener, 1837)

Old names are Grammostola spatulata, Grammostola spatulatus, Phrixotrichus rosea, Phrixotrichus roseus and Phrixotrichus spatulata.

Native to: They are found through North Chile' Atacama desert, Bolivia and Argentina.

Habitat:

To understand the rosie, you have to have some understanding from of the natural environment. The Atacama desert is a rocky, bushy scrub desert. Its believed that Grammastola rosea are nomadic in behavour, that it moves around alot in the wild occupying existing hollows under rocks and other crevaces. The atacama is considered a desert because of its annual ranfall. Certain areas have not had rain for over 400years.. the Atacama is actually a pretty cold place, with average daily temperatures ranging between 0°C and 25°C. Every so often a warming effect over the Pacific Ocean around the equator changes the weather the world over and even places like the driest desert in the world can become doused with drenching storms. Although this means that the rainfall is extremely low, the desert does in fact have sources of water, these sources come in the shape of Morning/evening dew/fog In the higher elevations it can be found in the form of snow and underground there is always water, its usefulness is determined by the rocktypes. In regards to the Grammastola rosea they gather their water needs fom the prey the eat, and the daily mists. They rely on a hide becuase even when the air humidity outside is incredibly low, the water located in the ground generally keeps the humidity in the burrow much higher as with keeping a constant temperature. That is the key to Grammastola rosea survival in such a harsh climate.

Captive Care:

They are best kept on bone dry substrate in a 10l vivarium/ fish tank, plastic or glass, it doesnt sound very big, but it is ample..too much space can cause problems. The spiders soemtimes only move but a few metres from their residence through out their entire lives unless disturbed. The substrate should be something non- abrasive and containing no chemicals. Things like untreated peat, Coconut fibre and vermiculite are best. They are known to fast for many months without any obvious signs of loosing weight.

Link TBA

Protected Status:

Please enter any CITES information here. They are bred with such success nearly all specimens are captive bred. No exports are made on the NCF, with exceptions for a nuumber of other colour morphs Description and other information:

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