New Rose Hair Tarantula and Tank

Just made an impulse buy today when i saw a Rose Hair Tarantula for sale at this pet store I sometimes go to. He seems pretty comfortable already because he already ate a cricket on day 1.

Anyone know if red infared lights are ok for them for heating purposes? Pics coming soon.

They are not only ok, I feel they should be the primary heating method.
They get less stressed out by that sort of light, which makes them feel at home more rapidly.

Cheers on the pics

pluto wrote:

They are not only ok, I feel they should be the primary heating method.
They get less stressed out by that sort of light, which makes them feel at home more rapidly.

Cheers on the pics

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+1 infrared FTW

Here is my setup. I'm becoming a fan of these critter cages since they are affordable. Hopefully its big enough for him even if he grows a bit. The size is 14.5" L X 8.75" W X 9.75"

I'm using a mixture of coco fiber and some other reptile mulch and bark to give it a more natural look. I added a big skull sunken for a hiding spot. He can get in through a hole on the top of the head and an entrance at the bottom.

Some moss has been added for effect and a small water dish in the corner. 50 watt infrared lamp hanging about 8 inches from the back for heat source. Should be enough to keep it about 80 i hope. Let me know what you guys think!

Looks good! I dig the skull hide. Just a little friendly advice for ya, those analog thermometers and hygrometers are trash. Get a digital thermometer, you'll thank yourself! They have one at petco that is good and cheep.

Good point what about a good hygrometer? Do they make digital ones for that also?

Yeah but those are expensive. As far as I know rose hairs don't need much though. A bit of mist in the morning and you should be good as long as you keep the dish full.

Streettrash wrote:

Yeah but those are expensive. As far as I know rose hairs don't need much though. A bit of mist in the morning and you should be good as long as you keep the dish full.

agreec

First thing you wanna do is scrap the light, thermometer and hygrometer.
Chile Rose dont need or want extra heat unless it's VERY cold where you are. Humidity isnt much of an issue with them either, in fact it isnt tht much of an issue with 90% of species.
Your best thing for humidity is simply cover the lid.They allow the tank to dry out very quickly. All I do is cover the inside of the lid with sellotape.
That sized petpal should do the spider all of it's life now by the look of it.
One interesting point to note is you hear a lot of people now saying they have a Chile Rose that wont hesitate to bite. This is simply because they are kept too hot. Get them at the right temperature and they are very docile.
ALL of mine are nasty but they are kept in a heated room with everything else and I never try to handle so it isnt an issue really.

Good to know, you know to be honest it almost looked like he was trying to avoid the heat even though it did not seem very hot. He was kinda pressed up against the side farthest from the light.

Ill scrap it and see how he does. I guess i could turn it on for a while if it seems too cold? or another option might be to turn on an electric space hearer for a while to raise the ambient temperature of the area.

He also seemed very upset by the misting he ran into his hiding hole. Maybe ill just mist very lightly 1-2 times a week?

It'll be running from the light, not the heat. They really dont like bright lights.
As for misting, I never do. I just tip water into the corner of the tank so it wets the substrate. This gives drinking water if needed and raises the humidity.

Do rosies need humidity?

They need a bit but not a great deal. Mine are kept on a dry substrate that I tip water onto once every 3 weeks or so.
The humidity in the room is probably a little bit higher thank normal air humidit in UK simply because there are quite a few tanks in 1 room but humidity is something I never worry about.
I never use a hygrometer or thermometer and have never had any problems.

Cool, thought so too. Rosies are really hardy but they have their episodes so I heard. Sometimes lasting for half a year. Very weird spider to take care of.

Nowt to them mate. VERY tough species. They just stop eating sometimes for no reason. This commonly lasts for 12 months or more.

I'd panic honestly. One of the reasons I don't buy them.