Grammostola is a genus of South American tarantulas that was first described in text by Eugène Louis Simon in 1892. These medium- to large-sized spiders are native to tropical South America, and are usually brown in color, with pinkish or orangish-red hairs. The very docile Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea) is popular as a beginner's spider among tarantula enthusiasts.Muller-Esnault, Susan, DVM. "Rose Hair Tarantulas or Chilean Rose Hair" (2008). http://www.critterology.com/rose_hair_tarantulas_or_chilean_rose_hair-192.html
Grammostola as a pet The Chilean rose tarantula (Grammostola rosea) is a common pet, as its behavior is generally docile and its venom is very mild. It needs to be kept dry and dislikes being wet (its natural habitat is one of the driest deserts on earth). If the substrate is too wet, it will stand "on tiptoes" in discomfort, or climb the sides of its enclosure, risking fall and injury. It feeds on other invertebrates. Its attributes and care are similar to those of its relative, the Chaco golden-knee tarantula (Grammostola pulchripes).
Species it contains twenty species, found in South America: Grammostola actaeon (Pocock, 1903) – Brazil, Uruguay Grammostola alticeps (Pocock, 1903) – Uruguay Grammostola andreleetzi Vol, 2008 – Uruguay Grammostola anthracina (C. L. Koch, 1842) – Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Argentina Grammostola borelli (Simon, 1897) – Paraguay Grammostola burzaquensis Ibarra, 1946 – Argentina Grammostola chalcothrix Chamberlin, 1917 – Argentina Grammostola diminuta Ferretti, Pompozzi, González & Pérez-Miles, 2013 – Argentina Grammostola doeringi (Holmberg, 1881) – Argentina Grammostola gossei (Pocock, 1899) – Argentina Grammostola grossa (Ausserer, 1871) – Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina Grammostola iheringi (Keyserling, 1891) – Brazil Grammostola inermis Mello-Leitão, 1941 – Argentina Grammostola mendozae (Strand, 1907) – Argentina Grammostola pulchra Mello-Leitão, 1921 – Brazil Grammostola pulchripes (Simon, 1891) (type) – Paraguay, Argentina Grammostola quirogai Montes de Oca, D'Elía & Pérez-Miles, 2016 – Brazil, Uruguay Grammostola rosea (Walckenaer, 1837) – Bolivia, Chile, Argentina Grammostola subvulpina (Strand, 1906) – South America Grammostola vachoni Schiapelli & Gerschman, 1961 – Argentina
In synonymy
Transferred to other genera Grammostola familiaris (Bertkau, 1880) → Homoeomma familiare
Nomen dubium Grammostola monticola (Strand, 1907) - Bolivia
Gallery
References
External links – includes Grammostola species LiveScience Wild Tarantula Eats a Foot-Long Snake in a First