How to Care for a Chilean Rose Spider

Basics

When it comes to the basics of Chilean rose spider care, it’s helpful to know a few facts about this exotic pet. First, Chilean rose spiders are also known as Chilean salmon spiders. They are from a warm, coastal area of Chile. They are different from other tarantulas because of their salmon-colored hairs, their short, stout legs and their smaller size when compared to other tarantulas. Chilean rose spiders can grow to be about 3 inches in size. They are a terrestrial arachnid, which means that they live on land and not in water like aquatic arachnids for example the Aruba blue tarantula or the Mexican red knee tarantula. Another important thing to know about Chilean rose spiders is that they are very territorial. This means that they must be kept alone in their cage to prevent them from fighting (or possibly injuring or killing) each other.

What does a Chilean rose spider look like?

The Chilean rose spider is a tarantula with salmon-colored hairs on its body and legs. It has a dark brown or black body with salmon-colored hairs on the abdomen and around its face. The Chilean rose spider’s body is about 3 inches in length. The Chilean rose spider is a terrestrial (land-dwelling) tarantula, as such, it has short, stout legs and doesn’t have a web like other types of tarantulas, such as the Mexican red knee or the Aruba blue. The Chilean rose spider is native to a warm, coastal area in Chile.

Housing

The first thing to consider when caring for a Chilean rose spider is its housing. This is an arachnid and therefore, Chilean rose spider housing should be easy to clean and simple to maintain. A plastic enclosure or glass aquarium makes ideal Chilean rose spider enclosures, though a fish tank could also work. The enclosure should have air holes in the top and be placed out of direct sunlight. Chilean rose spider enclosures should be kept at a temperature between 64 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. The Chilean rose spider likes to live in the soil, so you can also keep it in a flower pot indoors or outdoors. Poor ventilation in the enclosure can cause mold or bacteria. This is especially dangerous for Chilean rose spiders and other arachnids because they are susceptible to these harmful microorganisms. You can minimize this risk by making sure that your Chilean rose spider’s home is clean and dry.

Diet

Another important aspect of Chilean rose spider care is its diet. Like many tarantulas, the Chilean rose spider is a carnivorous arachnid. This means that it must feed on other arthropods (insects and spiders) and small rodents to survive. The Chilean rose spider’s diet should consist of appropriately sized crickets (not cockroaches), mealworms and pink mice. You can also feed your Chilean rose spider silkworms or royal worm larvae. These are high-protein, high-fat feeder insects that are great for Chilean rose spider diets. Take care not to overfeed your Chilean rose spider. Overfeeding could lead to obesity and other health issues.

Requirements

As with other tarantulas, the Chilean rose spider requires a humid environment. This is because Chilean rose spiders excrete uric acid as a waste product. If the enclosure is too dry, the uric acid will crystallize on the spider’s legs and cause damage. Be sure to mist the Chilean rose spider’s enclosure regularly with warm water to maintain a humid atmosphere. Another requirement for a Chilean rose spider’s enclosure is a substrate. This can be sand, soil or a mixture of both. The substrate should be deep enough to bury the Chilean rose spider in it, which it will do as a way of protecting itself. Chilean rose spiders also need a water source, such as a small bowl or water droplets coming from the wall of the enclosure.

Facts about the Chilean rose spider

The Chilean rose spider is a terrestrial tarantula and is therefore different from aquatic tarantulas, like the Mexican red knee or Aruba blue, that live in water. The Chilean rose spider is native to a warm coastal area in Chile. The Chilean rose spider is a one-of-a-kind pet and is not easily obtained. Chilean rose spiders are prickly and feisty, but they are also intelligent, curious and can be trained like a dog. Chilean rose spiders are territorial, so they must be kept alone in their cage.

Tips for caring for a Chilean rose spider

- Be sure to read up on Chilean rose spider care before purchasing one.

- Maintain a humid environment for your Chilean rose spider’s enclosure and mist the enclosure regularly. - Feed your Chilean rose spider small, appropriately sized insects like crickets, mealworms and pink mice. Avoid feeding it cockroaches, which could contain harmful chemicals.

- Keep your Chilean rose spider’s enclosure clean and dry. This will prevent mold or bacteria from forming. - Be sure to provide your Chilean rose spider with a substrate deep enough to bury itself in.

- Provide your Chilean rose spider with a water source, such as a water droplet coming from the wall.

- Be sure to read up on Chilean rose spider anatomy before handling your Chilean rose spider.

- Be sure to handle your Chilean rose spider with care. It bites and can cause a serious infection if you are bitten.