The Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea), also known as the rose hair tarantula, the Chilean fire tarantula, or the Chilean red-haired tarantula (depending on the color morph), is probably the most common species of tarantula available in American and European pet stores today, due to the large number of wild-caught specimens exported cheaply from their native Chile into the pet trade. The species is also known from Bolivia and Argentina.[1]
G. rosea is a common pet of tarantula hobbyists. Females have been known to live as long as 20 years, but due to the limited time they have been available on the market (and hence for extensive study), they may live considerably longer than 20 years. Considerable confusion exists between this species and Grammostola porteri, with some arguing that many of the "G. rosea" in the pet trade actually are G. porteri.
The natural habitat of Grammostola rosea is the desert and scrub regions of northern Chile, Bolivia, and Argentina. [2] Spiders live at lower altitudes, ranging between 0 and 1,500 meters (0 and 4,921 ft) above sea level. [3] Natural habitats of the Chilean rose tarantula have been disturbed by human activity and modifications to the environment, making exact distributions of the species harder to pinpoint. [4] Though habitat loss is a threat to the species, they are not endangered and have no wildlife conservation status.[4]
The Chilean rose tarantula either digs ground burrows or finds abandoned rodent burrows to live in that they then line with their produced silk.[5] The burrows are typically straight down with only one or two chambers. Males tend to have burrows in more covered in vegetation or under stones while female burrows are less covered but are deeper, reaching 40 cm down. [4] The burrows are occupied by only one spider, as this species lives most of its life solitary.[5] In areas of high population density, burrows are found to be no closer than 1 meter (3 ft 3 in) apart. [4] Females leave the burrow in short distances only for trapping food and potential mates, while males abandon their burrows to look for mates typically between September and March.
Diet
This tarantula has a diverse diet, including grasshoppers, crickets, moths, beetles, cockroaches, mealworms, small lizards, and mammals. When tarantulas are kept as pets, the best food that can be provided for them are crickets that have been gut-loaded on vegetables, as this is the best source of hydrated nutrition for the tarantula.
Reproduction
Grammostola rosea has two mating seasons: September through March and May through July.[6] In order to reach sexual maturity, the spiders must molt several times over the course of three to four years. [7] Throughout their molting, males develop a hook on their front set of legs, called tibial hooks, that act as a way to hold up their female partner during reproduction. [7] Once a male has reached sexual maturity, he will create a sperm web to deposit his sperm and then place it back into his pedipalps before approaching the female. [7] He eventually approaches the female's burrow with caution, tapping and vibrating his legs to attract her out of her shelter. At the opportune moment, the male lunges himself forward and using his hooks, holds the female's chelicerae, pushing his mate into a vertical position, giving him access to the female's epigyne (external genitalia).[7] The male inserts one (or even both left and right) pedipalp into the female's epigyne and injects the fertilizing fluid. In the weeks following fertilization, given the female does not molt, she will spin a web and lay 50 to 200 eggs.[8] Males will die a few months following reproduction.
Defense mechanisms
Grammostola rosea is a venomous spider.[9] However, its main defense mechanism against predators are the urticating hairs located on its abdomen.[9] These hairs are released by the spider brushing them off its back with its leg, which occurs when the spider feels threatened.[9] The urticating hairs disperse into the air, causing irritation and itching when in contact with predator's skin or eyes.[9] The urticating hairs also act as sensory structures, helping the spider identify subtle vibrations or changes in pressure. [10] The Chilean Rose Tarantula's next line of defense is their venom, which is injected into their predator through their fangs.[10] Though not extremely dangerous to humans, the venom contains neurotoxins that disrupt the nervous system and hemotoxins that disrupt the circulatory system.[10] Venom is mainly used for hunting as it also contains enzymes that break down prey into ingestible fluid.
As pets
Grammostola rosea is relatively docile, low-maintenance, and inexpensive, so they are popular as pets, kept in terrariums. G. rosea can be kept in relatively low humidity. They can be kept at temperatures around 25–30 °C (77–86 °F), on a diet of crickets or locusts. The spider can fast for weeks to months at a time. Fasting is sometimes an indication of an upcoming ecdysis (moult).
G. rosea is usually skittish, running away from danger rather than acting defensively, but it may also raise its front legs and present its fangs in preparation to defend itself. It can act especially defensive for days after moulting; this may be innate in the spider's behavior. As with the majority of tarantulas from the Americas, it has small, spine-like urticating hairs on its abdomen that it kicks off or releases when threatened as a defense.[11][12]
In February 2009, a British man was treated for tarantula hairs lodged in his cornea.[13] The urticating hairs were thrown from the man's pet G. rosea while he was cleaning its tank. Medical authorities urge owners to wear protective eyewear when handling G. rosea.[13] The venom of the Chilean rose tarantula contains multiple toxins, which may help it immobilize and digest prey, as well as deter predators. A specific peptide found in this venom, termed GsMTx4 (Grammostola rosea Mechanotoxin 4) has been shown to inhibit mechanosensitive ion channels in living cells.[14]
^"Chilean rose tarantula". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
^Aguilera, Milenko A.; V, Rubén Montenegro; Casanueva, María Eugenia (2019). "Impact of disturbed areas on Theraphosidae spiders diversity (Araneae) and first population data of Grammostola rosea (Walckenaer) in Panul Park". Ecology and Evolution. 9 (10): 5802–5809. doi:10.1002/ece3.5163. ISSN 2045-7758. PMC6613233. PMID 31321029.
^ abcd"Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula". Lehigh Valley Zoo. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
^"Chilean rose tarantula". Smithsonian's National Zoo. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2022-02-17.
^ abcdShirey, Kristin; Rayburn, James (2013). "Old World vs. New World: a preliminary comparison of the developmental toxicity of venom from two tarantula species, Grammostola rosea and Haplopelma lividum, using frog embryos from Xenopus laevis". BIOS. 84 (3): 127–135. doi:10.1893/0005-3155-84.3.127. ISSN 0005-3155.
^ abc"Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula". Lehigh Valley Zoo. Retrieved 2022-03-01.
^ ab"Tarantula shoots sharp hairs into owner's eye". NBC News. Jan 1, 2010. Retrieved 3 January 2010.
^"Synergy between Piezo1 and Piezo2 channels confers high-strain mechanosensitivity to articular cartilage". Retrieved 7 November 2017.
Further reading
Marshall, Samuel D. (2001). Tarantulas and Other Arachnids. Barron's. ISBN0-7641-1463-8.
Schultz, Stanley A.; Schultz, Marguerite J. (2009). The Tarantula Keeper's Guide: Comprehensive Information on Care, Housing, and Feeding. Barron's. ISBN978-0-7641-3885-0.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grammostola rosea.
at care-sheet.com (WikiPets)
Grammostola rosea photography Tarantula breeding, site of Czech Ondrej Rehak
January 31, 2023
chilean, rose, tarantula, grammostola, rosea, also, known, rose, hair, tarantula, chilean, fire, tarantula, chilean, haired, tarantula, depending, color, morph, probably, most, common, species, tarantula, available, american, european, stores, today, large, nu. The Chilean rose tarantula Grammostola rosea also known as the rose hair tarantula the Chilean fire tarantula or the Chilean red haired tarantula depending on the color morph is probably the most common species of tarantula available in American and European pet stores today due to the large number of wild caught specimens exported cheaply from their native Chile into the pet trade The species is also known from Bolivia and Argentina 1 Chilean rose tarantulaScientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ArthropodaSubphylum ChelicerataClass ArachnidaOrder AraneaeInfraorder MygalomorphaeFamily TheraphosidaeGenus GrammostolaSpecies G roseaBinomial nameGrammostola rosea Walckenaer 1837 SynonymsCitharoscelus kochiiPhrixotrichus spatulataCitharoscelus spatulatusGrammostola argentinenseGrammostola argentinensisGrammostola calaGrammostola spathulataGrammostola spatulataEurypelma roseaEurypelma spatulatumLasiodora roseaMygale roseaMygale rubiginosaG rosea is a common pet of tarantula hobbyists Females have been known to live as long as 20 years but due to the limited time they have been available on the market and hence for extensive study they may live considerably longer than 20 years Considerable confusion exists between this species and Grammostola porteri with some arguing that many of the G rosea in the pet trade actually are G porteri Contents 1 Habitat 2 Diet 3 Reproduction 4 Defense mechanisms 5 As pets 6 References 7 Further reading 8 External linksHabitat EditThe natural habitat of Grammostola rosea is the desert and scrub regions of northern Chile Bolivia and Argentina 2 Spiders live at lower altitudes ranging between 0 and 1 500 meters 0 and 4 921 ft above sea level 3 Natural habitats of the Chilean rose tarantula have been disturbed by human activity and modifications to the environment making exact distributions of the species harder to pinpoint 4 Though habitat loss is a threat to the species they are not endangered and have no wildlife conservation status 4 The Chilean rose tarantula either digs ground burrows or finds abandoned rodent burrows to live in that they then line with their produced silk 5 The burrows are typically straight down with only one or two chambers Males tend to have burrows in more covered in vegetation or under stones while female burrows are less covered but are deeper reaching 40 cm down 4 The burrows are occupied by only one spider as this species lives most of its life solitary 5 In areas of high population density burrows are found to be no closer than 1 meter 3 ft 3 in apart 4 Females leave the burrow in short distances only for trapping food and potential mates while males abandon their burrows to look for mates typically between September and March Diet EditThis tarantula has a diverse diet including grasshoppers crickets moths beetles cockroaches mealworms small lizards and mammals When tarantulas are kept as pets the best food that can be provided for them are crickets that have been gut loaded on vegetables as this is the best source of hydrated nutrition for the tarantula Reproduction EditGrammostola rosea has two mating seasons September through March and May through July 6 In order to reach sexual maturity the spiders must molt several times over the course of three to four years 7 Throughout their molting males develop a hook on their front set of legs called tibial hooks that act as a way to hold up their female partner during reproduction 7 Once a male has reached sexual maturity he will create a sperm web to deposit his sperm and then place it back into his pedipalps before approaching the female 7 He eventually approaches the female s burrow with caution tapping and vibrating his legs to attract her out of her shelter At the opportune moment the male lunges himself forward and using his hooks holds the female s chelicerae pushing his mate into a vertical position giving him access to the female s epigyne external genitalia 7 The male inserts one or even both left and right pedipalp into the female s epigyne and injects the fertilizing fluid In the weeks following fertilization given the female does not molt she will spin a web and lay 50 to 200 eggs 8 Males will die a few months following reproduction Defense mechanisms EditGrammostola rosea is a venomous spider 9 However its main defense mechanism against predators are the urticating hairs located on its abdomen 9 These hairs are released by the spider brushing them off its back with its leg which occurs when the spider feels threatened 9 The urticating hairs disperse into the air causing irritation and itching when in contact with predator s skin or eyes 9 The urticating hairs also act as sensory structures helping the spider identify subtle vibrations or changes in pressure 10 The Chilean Rose Tarantula s next line of defense is their venom which is injected into their predator through their fangs 10 Though not extremely dangerous to humans the venom contains neurotoxins that disrupt the nervous system and hemotoxins that disrupt the circulatory system 10 Venom is mainly used for hunting as it also contains enzymes that break down prey into ingestible fluid As pets EditGrammostola rosea is relatively docile low maintenance and inexpensive so they are popular as pets kept in terrariums G rosea can be kept in relatively low humidity They can be kept at temperatures around 25 30 C 77 86 F on a diet of crickets or locusts The spider can fast for weeks to months at a time Fasting is sometimes an indication of an upcoming ecdysis moult G rosea is usually skittish running away from danger rather than acting defensively but it may also raise its front legs and present its fangs in preparation to defend itself It can act especially defensive for days after moulting this may be innate in the spider s behavior As with the majority of tarantulas from the Americas it has small spine like urticating hairs on its abdomen that it kicks off or releases when threatened as a defense 11 12 In February 2009 a British man was treated for tarantula hairs lodged in his cornea 13 The urticating hairs were thrown from the man s pet G rosea while he was cleaning its tank Medical authorities urge owners to wear protective eyewear when handling G rosea 13 The venom of the Chilean rose tarantula contains multiple toxins which may help it immobilize and digest prey as well as deter predators A specific peptide found in this venom termed GsMTx4 Grammostola rosea Mechanotoxin 4 has been shown to inhibit mechanosensitive ion channels in living cells 14 References Edit Muller Esnault Susan DVM Rose Hair Tarantulas or Chilean Rose Hair 2008 http www critterology com rose hair tarantulas or chilean rose hair 192 html Archived 2015 04 19 at the Wayback Machine Chilean rose tarantula Smithsonian s National Zoo 2016 04 25 Retrieved 2022 02 17 Aguilera Milenko A V Ruben Montenegro Casanueva Maria Eugenia 2019 Impact of disturbed areas on Theraphosidae spiders diversity Araneae and first population data of Grammostola rosea Walckenaer in Panul Park Ecology and Evolution 9 10 5802 5809 doi 10 1002 ece3 5163 ISSN 2045 7758 PMC 6613233 PMID 31321029 a b c d Aguilera Milenko Montenegro Ruben Casanueva Maria Eugenia 2018 06 12 Theraphosidae Abundance Panul Park amp Huechuraba Figshare doi 10 6084 m9 figshare 6493454 v1 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help a b Chilean Rose haired Tarantula Utah s Hogle Zoo www hoglezoo org Retrieved 2022 02 17 Aguilera Milenko Montenegro Ruben Casanueva Maria Eugenia 2018 06 12 Theraphosidae Abundance Panul Park amp Huechuraba Figshare doi 10 6084 m9 figshare 6493454 v1 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a Cite journal requires journal help a b c d Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula Lehigh Valley Zoo Retrieved 2022 03 01 Chilean rose tarantula Smithsonian s National Zoo 2016 04 25 Retrieved 2022 02 17 a b c d Shirey Kristin Rayburn James 2013 Old World vs New World a preliminary comparison of the developmental toxicity of venom from two tarantula species Grammostola rosea and Haplopelma lividum using frog embryos from Xenopus laevis BIOS 84 3 127 135 doi 10 1893 0005 3155 84 3 127 ISSN 0005 3155 a b c Chilean Rose Hair Tarantula Lehigh Valley Zoo Retrieved 2022 03 01 Animal World Rose haired Tarantula Animals Pdf Roseamond Gifford Zoo Chilean Rose haired Tarantula PDF a b Tarantula shoots sharp hairs into owner s eye NBC News Jan 1 2010 Retrieved 3 January 2010 Synergy between Piezo1 and Piezo2 channels confers high strain mechanosensitivity to articular cartilage Retrieved 7 November 2017 Further reading EditMarshall Samuel D 2001 Tarantulas and Other Arachnids Barron s ISBN 0 7641 1463 8 Schultz Stanley A Schultz Marguerite J 2009 The Tarantula Keeper s Guide Comprehensive Information on Care Housing and Feeding Barron s ISBN 978 0 7641 3885 0 External links Edit Wikimedia Commons has media related to Grammostola rosea Grammostola rosea at care sheet com WikiPets Grammostola rosea photography Tarantula breeding site of Czech Ondrej Rehak Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Chilean rose tarantula amp oldid 1135501145, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
