ZooLab Fact File



	Common Name(s): Chilean Rose Tarantula, Rose Hair Tarantula, Chilean Common Tarantula

	Latin Name: Grammostola rosea

	Description: Pale, tawny background colour with varying degree of pink metallic highlights. A ‘hairy’ appearance. Females four inches on average males smaller

	Range: South American countries such as Chile , Bolivia and Argentina

	Habitat: Shallow burrows in forests. Can can also be found in deserts and scrublands

	Diet: Carnivorous. Will eat a variety of insects, spiders and can also eat small vertebrate animals such as lizards, birds and mice

	Care in Captivity: Provide enclosure with plenty of floor space. Use peat/soil mixed with vermiculite. Supply a hide of cork bark. Feed 2 crickets every 2-3 days. Remove any uneaten crickets after 24 Hours. A daily spray will be enough to maintain humidity. Do not over soak the substrate. Temperatures between 22-26^oC. Do not let temperature drop below 18^oC. Tarantulas shed their skins. During a shed, the tarantula may turn upside down. Whilst in this position, the tarantula is vulnerable. Do not attempt to handle it and remove any uneaten crickets as they can injure the spider.

	Fact: When threatened, tarantulas from South America have urticating hairs which they can flick off of their abdomen towards potential predators. The hairs have tiny ‘hooks’ on them and can be painful when they come into contact with skin and eyes