Keeper guide

Chilean Rose Tarantula Lifespan — Male vs Female Grammostola rosea

Male and female Grammostola rosea have very different lifespans. Males generally live roughly 4–8 years, while females can live 15–25+ years. Those figures are general estimates from captive keeping, not exact lifespans for every Chilean Rose Tarantula.

At a glance

Quick facts

World
New World
Origin
Chile, Bolivia and Argentina
Lifestyle
Terrestrial
UK hobby rarity
Common
Maximum size
about 12–15 cm
Growth rate
Very slow
Male lifespan
roughly 4–8 years
Female lifespan
15–25+ years
Temperament
Usually calm to defensive depending on individual; capable of kicking hairs
Venom
Venom is not generally regarded as medically significant; urticating hairs can be irritating
Temperature
18–26°C
Moisture / humidity
Generally dry to lightly moist with a water dish; avoid persistently wet substrate
CITES
Not listed

Male and female lifespan

Male Grammostola rosea are generally expected to live roughly 4–8 years, while females can live 15–25+ years. The difference becomes most obvious after maturity.

If you buy a Chilean Rose Tarantula as an older juvenile or adult, you may never know its exact age. Use the species range as a guide and keep your own dates from the point you acquire the spider.

Why females live longer

Female Grammostola rosea continue moulting after maturity, which allows them to remain healthy adult spiders for many years.

A male Chilean Rose Tarantula eventually reaches an ultimate moult. After that point his remaining lifespan is usually much shorter than that of an adult female.

Growth and maturity

Chilean Rose Tarantulas are very slow growers. Young spiders normally moult more often than large juveniles and adults, but the time taken to mature varies between individuals.

Do not try to estimate the exact age of Grammostola rosea from size alone. Feeding, temperature, sex and genetics all influence growth.

Feeding and temperature

A practical temperature range for Grammostola rosea is 18–26°C. Stable care and sensible feeding are more useful than trying to force rapid growth.

Keeping a Chilean Rose Tarantula very heavily fed does not guarantee a longer life. Fresh water, suitable food, normal moults and stable enclosure conditions matter more.

Mature males

After the ultimate moult, a male Grammostola rosea may become more active around the enclosure and may eat less often than before maturity.

That change can be normal for a mature male Chilean Rose Tarantula. Keep water available, continue offering food occasionally and make sure the enclosure remains secure.

Keeping records

Record moult dates for Grammostola rosea and keep suitable exuviae if you want to confirm sex. If the spider was not bought as a tiny sling, record the date acquired and approximate size instead of guessing an exact age.

Over time, those notes make the lifespan of a Chilean Rose Tarantula easier to put into context and help show when growth and feeding patterns change.