Profile of the week-Week 1

[OttawaChris]

Hi all,

I thought I would start something new here... I will profile a new species of tarantula or scorpion every week for your reading enjoyment. (Please pardon my crappy webcam pics... I am too cheap to buy a digital cam... please feel free to share pics for the others if you got em) For the first one I will start easy...

*****Please note that these are based on PERSONAL experience with each species over my 6½ years of keeping tarantulas and individuals can vary... none of this is set in stone!!*****

Common Name(s): Chilean Rose Hair, Rosey, Chilean Red Flame
Latin Name: Grammastola Rosea

Size: 4 to 6 inches

From: Desert/Scrublands of Chile

Humidity requirement: Low (10-50%)... this is a desert/scrubland species that requires very little moisture. A water dish normally provides ample humidity.

Temperatment: Calm and placid

Growth: Relatively slow

This is a NW species that almost every tarantula keeper has and almost all newbs pick up. A definite staple in the hobby! They are very pretty spiders with a gorgeous metallic pink carapace and subtle pink highlights in the leg hair.

In my opinion, this is the best of all species as a starter. It is hard to go wrong with these spiders... they are docile, and very hardy and forgiving of newbie mistakes.

If handling is your thing then this is the spider to do it with. They are usually quite un-inclined to bite or flick hair if care is taken to be gentle.

They are one of the strangest spiders behavior-wise. It is not uncommon for them to go on mlong hunger strikes (I have had them go a year or more) When this happens just be sure to keep a steady supply of water in a dish.

Rose hairs are often compared to pet rocks by hobbyists in that they dont move very much. Being from the desert, they naturally conserve energy by only moving when they have to.

Feeding requirements: I keep mine on a diet of crickets. I feed once every week to 2 weeks. After a molt I usually offer a large pinky mouse (some spiders seem to refuse pre-killed prey though)

Housing Requirements: Mine do quite well in a 1x2 foot, shallow enclusure (no deeper than 8 inches or so). For substrate I have had success with everything from repti-bark to bed-a-beast to peatmoss and soil. Large grain repti-sand is also a good alternative (do not use fine sand... it can get into the book lungs and cause irritation amongst other problems)

Provide the spider with a hiding place. This species rarely burrows but instead prefers to hide in crevasses and small caves . They will adopt pre-made burrows though. I usually provide mine with hollowed out half logs or cocanut shells, they dig out from under them and made a nice hiding place.

Breeding hasnt been as successful with this species as others, and nearly all specimens in captivity are WC individuals. (I have twice tried to breed this species only to end up with a well fed, unfertilized female if you know what I mean)

Personal Notes: It might be co-incidence, but mine always seem to molt in mid-fall (in November) They seem to get very cranky when they are close to a molt.

There is also a red-phase of the chilean rose. Many in the hobby think that this is a sub-species (in fact they used to be, but the powers that be decided they were one and the same) The red phase individuals seem to be more grumpy than the normal rose hairs.

Tune in next week!!

[Tim and Julie B]

What a great idea Chris! I have never owned or even held a rose hair yet. Can't wait for next week. What's it going to be? mmm..Skeleton, Usumbara, Golith, or maybe a Lesser back. Thanks for the info.

[CornSnakeMan]

please bring up an A. Avic. sooooooon!!!!!!! lol

[Pixie]

This is great! :bounce: :zi: :bounce:

Thanks for putting this up, it's very informative. I'm looking forward to the next edition

Pixie

[Darlene]

How did you know ? LOL !! I was just researching these guys ! Great idea. Will definitely stay tuned in.

[NewLineReptile]

Great idea i have a question aready........lol
i just got a Rose hair in this week and it is missing a leg will it grow back? or do i now own a 7 leged spider?



thanks Brandon

[Tim and Julie B]

Your T will grow it's leg back in a couple of molts. At first it will be a skinny version of a regular leg and then with each molt it will slowly look like the others. But it will take awhile. T's don't molt that often.

[NewLineReptile]

Thank's Tim and Julie for your help again

Brandon

[Tim and Julie B]

No problem. Glad I could help you.