The Red Rose Spider is native to the deserts of Chile. It is covered with dark red fur and has a strong adaptability to the environment. It has a gentle temperament and simple feeding requirements, making it particularly suitable for beginners in spider keeping. It is also affordable and its name is very attractive, making it the most popular pet spider in the insect keeping market. The total length of the adult male spider is about 7-8cm, and the total length of the female spider is about 10-15cm. It is covered with dark red fur, belonging to the cave spider species. It is covered with dark red fur, especially on the upper part of the cephalothorax, showing a dark purple-red color. It has low toxicity and is generally very gentle and easy to handle. However, accidents cannot be ruled out.
1. Botrytis
The cause of this disease is high humidity and temperature. The infected spider has stiff joints, reduced appetite, slow movement, dull fur, and signs of Botrytis. To treat this disease, there are two methods: killing the fungus directly with Kemwer, or enhancing the spider's resistance by giving it tetracycline and yeast tablets, allowing the medicine to penetrate its body.
2. Parasitic Mites
Mites are small in size, often round or oval. Mites reproduce through bisexual egg laying, and the development process is different for males and females. Mites mainly harm spiders and disturb their normal rest. Some mites parasitize on spiders, reducing their resistance and causing them to become thin. At the same time, mites can also carry fungal spores, such as Aspergillus. The treatment for spider mites includes bait trapping, which involves mixing dry chicken or pig manure with a small amount of fried soybean or rapeseed cake powder, packing it tightly in a sandbag, and placing it in the breeding box. The mites will enter the bag to feed, and they can be killed by scalding with boiling water after 1-2 days. Another method is to use a safe and non-toxic pesticide like Kemwer. It is important to use a safe and non-toxic pesticide, otherwise it can also be harmful to the spiders.
Nematodes have a slender body with slightly pointed ends, resembling a thread. They are generally milky white and transparent in color. Their lives are quite simple. Except for a few nematodes that reproduce through parthenogenesis, the majority of nematodes reproduce through sexual mating and egg laying. The eggs hatch into larvae, and the larvae molt 2-3 times to become adults. Nematodes mainly harm young spiders, especially during molting, causing infections on the spider's body surface. These parasites can also be treated by spraying them with a safe and non-toxic pesticide like Kemwer.
Temperature: The humidity for keeping Chilean Red Rose Spider should be low, with humidity around 40-60%, and should not exceed 70% at most. The suitable temperature for them is around 25-27°C, and the temperature can be lowered by about 3-5°C at night. In winter, electric blankets can be used for heating, while no insulation equipment is needed in summer.
Feeding Environment:
Since the Red Rose Spider belongs to large tarantulas, a sufficiently large breeding box should be provided (usually sized at 50×30×30 cm), with materials made of metal or glass, or even ordinary cardboard. Put 5-10 cm of clean sand or pumice inside. Like other animals living in deserts, they do not require high humidity (usually around 70%, at least above 40%). You can place a shallow and stable small dish with a moist sponge in it, which can adjust the temperature and humidity in the breeding box and can also absorb spider excrement. You also need to provide some hiding places for them, which can be made of branches, bark, or coconut shells. It is best to choose a large fish tank for the breeding box and decorate it with bonsai for easy viewing.
Food:
A variety of live insects are their main food, such as crickets, grasshoppers, cockroaches, etc. Occasionally, they also eat some small lizards, pinkies, or other small animals. Their food intake is small, so you don't need to go around looking for food for them. Their ability to withstand hunger is well-known in the spider world, and they can even survive without eating for half a year. In winter, when insects cannot be found, you can feed them with live silkworm pupae or mealworms. If you can't find food, you can use cotton or sponge dipped in raw eggs to let them survive. The spider has a strong ability to withstand hunger. As long as there is water, it can survive without eating for 100 days. Usually, feed it one or two insects every 5 days.
Breeding Equipment:
Each Chilean Red Rose Spider should be bred in a covered breeding box independently. The bottom material can be covered with a higher sand content cactus mud (available in flower and bird markets, if not, other soil or river sand can be chosen as well, but the river sand should be disinfected before use), or mix sand with sterile soil, laying two to four inches thick and pressing down. Place a tree hole or small flower pot in the breeding box as a hiding place, and a water dish to provide a water source.
Temperature and Humidity:
The humidity for keeping Chilean Red Rose Spider should be low, with humidity of about 70% or below; the suitable temperature is around 25-27°C, and the temperature can be lowered by about 3-5°C at night. In winter, electric blankets can be used for heating (except for individual differences, as spiders do not like light, it is not recommended to use lamps for heating), while no insulation equipment is needed in summer.
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