Chilean Rose-hair Tarantula (Grammostola porteri)

Pricing: Dead (spread, as pictured): $75
Geographic Range: Northern Chile
View: Top View  Sex: Female
Size: Legspan: 12.5 cm

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Image Copyright 2003
Barbara Strnadova

Grammostola cala is a scrub-land tarantula common in northern Chile. It ranges from the Atacama Desert region west into Argentina and Bolivia. Grammostola cala is the tarantula most frequently seen for sale in pet shops. The reason for this is that they are very hardy and very docile, as well as large and attractive. Two different color phases exist: one has an overall brown color with pink hairs and a pink carapace; while the other has red hairs all over it's body. Grammostola cala does well in captivity when kept between 70-80 degrees F. It is an excellent species for beginners to keep as a pet because of their passive temperament. Adults feed readily on crickets and roaches; spiderlings can be fed pin-head crickets. It takes the spiderlings about 3 to 4 years to reach adult size.  Also known by the older synonyms Grammostola spatulata and Grammostola cala.