Care of Rose-Backed Tarantulas

Rose-haired tarantulas do well in captivity.

Rose-backed tarantulas, more commonly known as rose-haired tarantulas, Chilean rose tarantulas or rosies, are large, docile spiders often sold as pets. These hardy creatures have a brown carapace covered in pink hair and are relatively easy to care for.

Temperature

Chilean rose tarantulas do best at temperatures between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Colder temperatures may make them sluggish, while strong heat can cause humidity problems inside the enclosure.

Food

While these tarantulas eat a variety of insects in the wild, they will eat a cricket-based diet in captivity. Adults will also eat occasional pinky mice. The University of Calgary recommends against overfeeding this tarantula, since it will eat even when full, resulting in obesity.

Enclosure

Keep Chilean rose-haired tarantulas in a 5- to 10-gallon escape-proof container with adequate ventilation and plenty of floor space. Maintain humidity at 70 to 85 percent and provide a substrate of peat moss, soil, gravel or coconut husk.

References

• University of Calgary: Care and Husbandry of the Chilean Rose Tarantula
• Pet Bugs: Chilean Rose Tarantula
• Rosamund Gifford Zoo: Chilean Rose-haired Tarantula