Chilean Rose Tarantula

(Grammostola rosea)

Description

This tarantula gets its name from the pink-purple coloured hairs on the top of the body – the rest of the animal is a fairly dull grey-brown colour. They are a medium sized tarantula species, reaching a leg span of 4.5 – 5.5 inches.

Habitat & Distribution

Scrubland and deserts in Chile, Bolivia and Argentina.

Diet

Adult tarantulas eat large insects such as crickets and large adults will occasionally eat very small mammals e.g. baby mice.

Conservation Status

Not evaluated.

Did you know?

All tarantulas are venomous including the Chilean rose tarantula however the venom of the Chilean rose tarantula is very mild. There are no records of a tarantula bite from any species being fatal to a human being.
Chilean rose tarantulas have urticating hairs – barbed hairs which they will flick from their body as a way of defending themselves. These hairs can act as an irritant to other animals, especially on sensitive areas of the body such as in the eyes.

A female tarantula can live for up to 20 years! Males usually have a much shorter lifespan as after mating; the females sometimes attack the males and eat them!