Chilean Rose Tarantula Natural History
Size
This species is considered a medium sized tarantula. Females have an average leg span of 12-13 cm (5 inches) while males are slightly smaller with a 9 cm (3.5 inch) leg span.
Habitat and Distribution
These spiders are native to desert scrub habitats in South America. Not only are they found in Chile as their name suggests but also to Argentina and Bolivia too.
Age
Females have a significantly longer lifespan than males. They can live up to 20 years in captivity while males pass away several months after mating.
Diet
These predators feed on a variety of invertebrates and small vertebrates including frogs, lizards and mice.
Threats
The Chilean Rose Tarantula has not yet been evaluated by the IUCN.
Groups and Breeding
Males develop a ‘finger’ on the underside of their front legs after their maturation moult which is used to lock the females fangs and to steady themselves as they mate.
The mated female then lays 50-200 eggs in a web which become fertilised as they pass from her body. She then wraps the eggs into a ball and guards them.
These tarantulas must go through several moults to grow and will go through about 6 of these in their first year alone.
Interesting Facts
The name “tarantula” derives from the Renaissance period to refer to a small wolf spider from Taranto, Italy.
The Chilean Rose Tarantula During Your Day Out in Kent
Our Chilean Rose Tarantula can be seen in the Bug Gardens alongside a wide variety of other species including the Sunny Stick Insect, White Clawed Crayfish and African Giant Millipede.