Entymology

Grammostola (greek), design, painted + stole (garment).
rosea (latin), pink.
This species have gone through a lot of name changes over the years. Old names pop up in older litterature such as Grammostola spatulata, Grammostola spatulatus, Phrixotrichus rosea, Phrixotrichus roseus and Phrixotrichus spatulata. 

Introduction

Without doubt this is the most common tarantula in captivity today. They are often sold in pet shops, that usually dont have a wide variaety of other terrarium animals, for 10 dollars or so.
They was sold as Grammostola cala, once in a while you see this even today, however cala is a synonym to rosea. Because of this they are often regarded as boring. Which are totally wrong in my opinion! Those with purple carapace is not rosea but porteri. 

In the wild

Grammostola rosea is found in Chile around Santiago, Concepcion, Valparaiso south of the Atacama desert. They do not occur in the acctual desert (pers. com. Rick West) but can occur on the borders. The habitat where they live is rocky brushy scrub, its hot and dry in the summertime with cooler winters. The summer temperature in Santiago with heights 28°C (82°F) and in the winter around 11°C (52°F) which is the time the rain falls. They have been found in deep burrows outside Santiago (pers. com. Dr. G. B. Edwards). This species are also found in neighboring countries Bolivia and Argentina.

In the terrarium

Keep this spider in a normal sized terrarium (30x30x30cm) with a thick layer of dry peat with a piece of cork bark that allows the spider to burrow if it wants to. place a water bowl in the cage aswell. Keep the temperature around 28C. The behaviour of this spider changes from time to time, sometimes they burrow down deep and stay there for a while later to abandon it and occupying the top of the cork bark instead for weeks or another spot in the cage. Some interpret this behaviour that the spider dont thrive in the cage or that this is normal behaviour for the species. As stated earlier in this article they have been found in deep burrows in the wild but Im not sure it was part of a long time study of the spider or a one time encounter. Another thing that people ask me alot about is the rosea feeding habits. They can for no obvious reason stop feeding for months then all of a sudden start eating again. That could have something to do with hibernation during the winter months in Chile and begin to feed again at spring time. Its probably normal for this species, but can worry the owner. Few breed this species nowadays because its hard to sell the spiderlings. If you buy from a pet shop make sure that the spider seems healthy with a evenly roundish abdomen and react when poked and dont seems sluggish or have its legs curled up underneith the body. Also make sure the spider was provided a water dish so you know its not dehydrated. Check for hooks on the first legpair (mature male) if you looking for a mature male.

Food

They feed on insects of proper size.

Handling

Grammostola rosea is considered a docile species, but one of mine was not docile and calm at all! The temperament can differ between individuals but generally speaking this is a calm species. I dont recommend anyone to handle them most because of the safety of the spider. However you can get bitten by a docile spider, they do have fangs and venom.

External articles

Isolation and characterization of a novel toxin from the venom of the spider Grammostola rosea that blocks sodium channels
Spider venom may prevent atrial fibrillation
Peptide from Tarantula Venom Shows Promise as Treatment for Muscular Dystrophy, Incontinence, Atrial Fibrillation