Tarantula. The very word strikes terror in the heart of most people. But (unless you have an allergy to the venom) the bite of the tarantulas commonly kept as pets (such as the Chilean Rose) is often compared to a bee sting. The urticating hairs that you may have heard about, can cause a rash, but they are unlikely to cause much damage (unless they get in yours eyes, so it is best to wear safety glasses), and a calm tarantula probably won't shoot them off. Very large tarantulas such as the Goliath Bird Eater, can be more dangerous.
Chilean Roses are very common spiders, from which bites are rare. They are cheap and highly recommended. They are so calm that a child can safely handle them. These spiders have urticating hairs, so you should wear safety glasses even if you have a very calm tarantula. A five gallon tank is the perfect size for these spiders. They are perfectly capable of living with out any heaters, but you may want to use a red light to encourage activity for your pet. They do not require much food at all; a dollars worth of crickets and/or mealworms will satisfy these animals for a month. They are extremely hearty tarantulas. Chilean Roses come in many different colors including black, gray, and red.
I like tarantulas, and I want a Chilean Rose tarantula. They seem to be very easy and cheap pets to care for.
| I think that this is a Chilean Rose. |
| This tarantula is aggressive. |
