Not furry either, still lovely.

Chilean Rose Tarantula

Grammostola rosea

Also called Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula, Rose Hair Tarantula, Chilean Fire Tarantula, Chilean Red-haired Tarantula, Grammostola porteri (former separate name)

SpeciesDeep profile

From South America: northern Chile, Bolivia and Argentina, in high desert and dry scrubland from sea level up to roughly 1,500 m.1 2

At a glance the quick version

Length9 to 15 cm2 3

Lifespan5 to 20 years2 1 3

Sizemedium

Leg span, not body length. Smithsonian's National Zoo gives about 12-13 cm for females and about 9 cm for males (males have relatively longer legs); a keeper care sheet gives about 15 cm for adults.

Females can live up to 20 years in human care, possibly longer. Males are much shorter-lived, around 5 years, and do not live long after maturing and mating.

Calm and slow-moving

Long-lived (females)

Undemanding, low-maintenance care

2 3

Looks how to spot one

Hairy, ground-dwelling (terrestrial) spider

A sturdy, medium-sized tarantula covered in fine hairs, with eight legs, a rounded abdomen and a carapace that often carries a pinkish or coppery sheen. Females are bulkier, while mature males are slimmer and leggier. Like other American tarantulas it carries special flicking hairs on the abdomen that it uses as a defence.2 1 3

Coloursgreyish brownrosy pinkreddish (red colour form)3 1

Personality what they are like

Usually a calm, gentle spider that prefers to move away from trouble rather than confront it. Some individuals are more nervous and may lift their front legs as a warning or flick hairs if pestered, and they tend to be extra sensitive just after a moult. Best treated as an animal to watch rather than handle often.2 1 3

Daily activity how busy a day looks

Low. A night-time hunter that spends much of the day resting in or near its burrow or hide. It needs no exercise beyond the space of its enclosure.2 1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

No grooming needed. Keep a shallow water dish full, remove uneaten prey within a day, and leave the spider alone around moults; adults should not be fed for about 5-10 days after moulting. Spot-clean waste as needed.3

Home where they are happiest

A terrestrial enclosure that is wider than tall, roughly 3-5 times the spider's leg span for adults, filled about half to two thirds with substrate so it can dig, plus a hide. Room temperature of about 20-23 C suits it. Keep the substrate mostly dry for adults with a water dish always available; spiderlings like slightly damp substrate.3 1

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Live insects such as crickets and roaches. Spiderlings eat tiny prey about twice a week, juveniles every 7-10 days and adults every 2-3 weeks (a few crickets or one large roach). Wild spiders also take other invertebrates and occasionally small vertebrates. Long voluntary fasts are normal for this species.3 2 1

Company who they like around

Solitary. Keep one tarantula per enclosure; it does not need or want company.3

The story where it all began

The species was scientifically described by the French naturalist Charles Walckenaer in 1837. For many years a second name, Grammostola porteri, was used for some similar-looking animals, which caused confusion among keepers, until the World Spider Catalog folded it into Grammostola rosea in 2022. Large numbers of wild-caught spiders were once exported cheaply from Chile, and that steady supply made it probably the most common tarantula in American and European pet shops, often as a first tarantula. From March 2026 the species has been listed on CITES Appendix II, which places international trade under a permit system.1 2

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
It is famous among keepers for going on hunger strikes, sometimes refusing food for weeks or even months at a time.1
2
Instead of always digging its own home, it will happily move into an empty rodent or reptile burrow and line it with silk; a female's burrow can reach around 40 cm deep.1
3
Spiderlings grow fast at first and shed their skin five or six times in their first year.2
4
A female can lay somewhere between 50 and 200 eggs in one batch.2
5
The word 'tarantula' dates from the Renaissance and comes from the town of Taranto in southern Italy.2
6
Rather than biting, it defends itself mainly by flicking fine barbed hairs off its abdomen.2
7
Its common names, from rose hair to Chilean fire tarantula, change with the colour form of the spider.1

Recognised by the official bits

World Spider Catalog (as reported by Wikipedia): Accepted species Grammostola rosea (Walckenaer, 1837); in 2022 Grammostola porteri was treated as a junior synonym of it.1
CITES: Listed on Appendix II from 5 March 2026, so international trade needs permits.1

Popularity Described as probably the most common tarantula species in American and European pet stores, and one of the most popular and widespread tarantulas in the pet trade.1 2

The care rhythm a typical week and year

A typical home-care rhythm for a Chilean Rose Tarantula. A starting point, not a vet's advice.

Humidity checkevery 2 days
Water dishevery 2 days
FeedingDepends on species, size and moult stagevaries
Spot cleanRemove leftover foodevery week
Moult noteLeave them in peace while moulting and note it in the diaryvaries
Substrate changeevery 6 months

Owner questions the things everyone asks

How often should I feed my Chilean Rose Tarantula?

Feed spiderlings tiny prey about twice a week, juveniles every 7 to 10 days, and adults every 2 to 3 weeks. Long voluntary fasts are normal for this species. Furry Diary's plan notes that feeding depends on size and moult stage.3 2 1 Pet Wiki plan

What does a Chilean Rose Tarantula eat, and what should it never eat?

It eats live insects like crickets and roaches. For foods it should never eat, that varies; please ask your vet.3 2 1

How much space does a Chilean Rose Tarantula need?

Provide a terrestrial enclosure that is wider than tall, about 3 to 5 times the spider's leg span for adults. Fill it half to two thirds with substrate for digging and include a hide.3 1

What temperature, light or water does a Chilean Rose Tarantula need?

Keep the room temperature around 20 to 23 degrees Celsius. Provide a shallow water dish and keep the substrate mostly dry for adults. No special lighting is needed.3 1

How often should I clean a Chilean Rose Tarantula's home?

Spot-clean waste and remove uneaten prey within a day. Furry Diary's plan suggests a weekly spot-clean and a full substrate change every 6 months.3 Pet Wiki plan

Can a Chilean Rose Tarantula live with others?

No, it is solitary. Keep one tarantula per enclosure as it does not need or want company.3

How long does a Chilean Rose Tarantula live?

Chilean Rose Tarantulas can live from 5 to 20 years, with females generally living longer.2 1 3

Can I handle a Chilean Rose Tarantula?

Handling is not recommended; it is best to watch rather than handle. Some individuals may flick hairs or become stressed, especially after a moult.2 1 3

Written from the sources on this page, a few checked guides (VCA, ASPCA, RSPCA) and Pet Wiki's own starting care plan. A friendly guide, not a vet's advice.

Mexican Red-knee Tarantula

Where this comes from

Every fact on this page has a numbered source. Spotted an error? [email protected].

Grammostola rosea - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for names, taxonomy, range, habitat, burrows, temperament, fasting, pet trade history, CITES listing
Chilean Rose Tarantula - Smithsonian's National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute nationalzoo.si.eduused for leg span, lifespan, range, diet, behaviour, reproduction, fun facts
Grammostola rosea care sheet - The Tarantula Collective thetarantulacollective.comused for enclosure, temperature, humidity, feeding schedule, leg span, lifespan, colour forms

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.