How to Care for a Rose Hair Tarantula

Native to Chile, Argentina and Bolivia, rose hair tarantulas, known scientifically as grammostola rosea, are one of the most popular species of tarantula to keep as pets. Larger, hardier and more docile than many types of tarantulas, rose hair tarantulas are named for the tan and pink hairs that cover their body. Though considered an exotic pet, caring for rose hair tarantulas is surprisingly simple. Rose hair tarantulas are available from most pet stores, though they may be referred to as common Chilean, fire or flame tarantulas.

Things You'll Need

  • 5 or 10 gallon glass aquarium
  • Vermiculite or peat moss
  • Aquarium cave decoration
  • Climbing branches
  • Hollow cork bark pieces
  • Dead leaves
  • Watering dish
  • Cotton balls
  • Spray bottle
  • Crickets
  • Pinkie mice
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select and prepare an appropriate living container for your rose hair tarantula. Cover the bottom of a 5 or 10 gallon glass aquarium with 3 inches of vermiculite or peat moss substrate. Put a cave aquarium decoration in the living container to give your rose hair tarantula a cozy little place to hide. Decorate the rest of the living container with things like plastic climbing branches, dead leaves and hollow pieces of cork bark.

    • 2

      Choose a watering dish that corresponds to the size of your rose hair tarantula's abdomen. Stuff cotton balls into the dish and fill it with clean, cool water. Position the watering dish in the living container as desired. Your rose hair tarantula will climb on top of the watering dish and suck the water from the cotton. Keep your tarantula's water dish full of clean water at all times.

    • 3

      Spray the living container substrate with water from a spray bottle every other day to maintain a healthy level of humidity for your rose hair tarantula. The vermiculite or peat moss substrate should be moist, but never wet.

    • 4

      Feed your rose hair tarantula approximately once a week. Provide your tarantula with two to three large crickets per week, depending on your pet's appetite. Adult rose hair tarantulas also enjoy the occasional pinkie mouse.

    • 5

      Leave your rose hair tarantula undisturbed if you discover it lying on its back with its legs in the air. Though your tarantula may appear dead, it's actually just molting. This period of inactivity allows your pet to focus its energy on shedding old skin. Your rose hair tarantula's behavior should return to normal soon after the old skin has shed.