What Kind of Habitats Do Rose Hair Tarantulas Like?

Chilean rose hair tarantulas (Grammostola rosea) have mild temperaments and fairly simple needs, and are not particularly toxic. However, there is no such thing as a ̶0;low-maintenance̶1; pet and, obviously, you can̵7;t just stick one in a shoebox and hope the tarantula will be ok. The more closely a terrarium mimics the species̵7; natural environment in terms of shelter and climate, the more settled and healthier the tarantula should be. A natural-looking habitat is more aesthetically pleasing to the human onlooker, although tarantulas don̵7;t care what their home looks like provided it is comfortable and has suitable hiding places.

  1. In the Wild

    • Rose hair tarantulas originate in the deserts of Argentina, Northern Chile and Bolivia. They also inhabit scrubland. Because the rose hair tarantula is a burrowing species, the key to mimicking a natural environment is to provide enough substrate for your spider to create her own hiding places. Sand might look natural but chemical-free potting compost is preferable for a captive spider. Have at least three inches of substrate in the tank, more if possible.

    Tank Set-Up

    • A basic 10-gallon tank forms a suitable basis for a rose hair habitat. Avoid using a tank that is much higher than the tarantula̵7;s leg span. Rose-hairs are not really climbing spiders and could injure themselves in a fall. Along with the substrate, include a shallow water bowl with sloping sides. Those are the basics the tarantula needs. You also can add some cork bark, rocks, a clay plant pot, tarantula-safe plants, such as grasses, or driftwood to provide extra hiding places. Plastic plants are an option, and might be better suited to a dark tank.

    Temperature and Humidity

    • As you might expect, rose hair tarantulas prefer a warm habitat. The temperature should be about 70 to 85 degrees F. Add extra heat with a reptile heat mat. It is best to position the heat mat under one end of the tank, not in the middle, because this allows your tarantula to adjust her own temperature by moving from the warm end to the cool end as necessary. Although their natural habitat is the desert, they do need a moderately humid environment. Monitor the humidity with a hygrometer, available from garden centers, home stores and discount outlets, and maintain a range of about 70 to 80 percent relative humidity. If the tank is too damp, change the substrate and remove any plants. If it is too dry, raise the humidity with a plant mister or add a damp piece of sponge to the tank.

    Siting

    • Position the tank out of direct sunlight, preferably in a fairly dark space. Light is only important if you have live plants, and then it should still be of a fairly low level. Also ensure the habitat is not somewhere that could overheat, such as beside a radiator. Remember that invertebrates are sensitive to pollutants in the atmosphere. Don̵7;t keep your tank in a room where people smoke, spray air freshener or use a lot of powerful cleaning products. Obviously, a tarantula tank must never be placed in a freshly painted room.