|
NEPTUNE'S CORNER PET SHOP
4416 Pearl Road • Cleveland, OH 44109 (216) 351-0027 www.neptunescorner.com |
|||
|
Rose Hair Tarantula Care Sheet
|
|||
|
Common Name: Rose Hair Tarantula, Chilean Rose Tarantula Native to: Bolivia, Northern Chile, and Argentina, found in many habitats, mostly deserts and scrubland. Size: 4.5 to 5.5 inches General Information: The Rose Hair Tarantula is one of the most common tarantulas in the pet trade today. This species of tarantula is a combination of being fairly large, hardy and docile. They can be found in two different color phases. One of the color phases of the Rose Hair Tarantula is a tan to brown overall color with pink hairs and a pink carapace, while the other is a tarantula with red hairs all over it's body. The Rose Hair Tarantula is the ultimate starter spider, and should be considered for anybody who wants to start out in the hobby. Housing requirements Enclosure: A 5 1/2 Gallon Aquarium is a suitable home for 1 adult Rose Hair Tarantula, however a 10 Gallon Aquarium would be a much better home. DO NOT KEEP MORE THEN 1 TARANTULA TO A CAGE. Temperature: 70 to 75° F. This can be achieved using an under tank heating pad on one end of the tank. Always use at least one thermometer in your enclosure. Humidity should be between 70% - 75%, this can be achieved by daily misting of the aquarium and a portion of the screen cover being blocked off to keep humidity in. Light: No special lighting is required. A Flourescent Aquarium hood is sufficient as UVB lighting is not essential. Your Tarantula needs a photo period (light cycle), for natural growth and health. You should provide your tarantula with a regular period of 8 - 10 hours of light, and 14 - 16 hours of dark. For nighttime viewing, use of a low wattage red bulb is ideal. Substrate: For substrate Exo-Terra Forest Bark is the best solution for your Emperor Scorpion also Aspen Shavings can be used as well. Many people like to use potting soil, the problem with potting soil is Tarantulas like to burrow and thus will get the potting soil all over its body and if your Tarantula is fully grown and will not molt again, this will stay on its body untill it dies. So by using the Exo Terra Forest Bark or Aspen Shavings you can still achieve a natural looking habitat for your Emperor Scorpion as well as allow it to burrow. The Exo Terra Forest Bark also helps with the humidity levels in your Emperor Scorpions home. Diet: Crickets are the main diet for most tarantulas. It is a great idea to feed your crickets a commercially prepared cricket diet 12-24 hours before feeding the crickets to your tarantulas. It is also a good idea to use a good dusting supplement as well. Many adult tarantulas will occasionally take a pinkie mouse. Still other large tarantulas will take fuzzy mice. These larger meals will last a tarantula far longer than crickets. A small hopper mouse will keep an adult Rose Hair satisfied for a few weeks. A water bowl with the approximate size of the tarantula's abdomen filled with cotton or filter wool wadding is sufficient. The spider will climb on top of the dish and suck the water up through its labium (mouth) at the base of the fangs. Make sure the water never dries out and the water bowl contents are always clean. Maintenance: Cleanliness of the enclosure is essential. Waste products should be removed daily and the enclosure should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected every few months or when smelly. Note, while Rose Hair Tarantulas are not poisonous they can inflict painful bites. Rose Hair tarantulas will readily flick abdominal hairs, these hairs can irritate your skin, eyes and nose. It is advised that you wear gloves when cleaning out their enclosure Recommended Products: |
|||