Do not feed spiny insects, and most recommend avoiding wild cockroaches. Pinky mice are a possibility, but this species generally is not a voracious eater and they are not necessary. Do not do so with the spider very high off the ground, as they can easily be fatally injured by even a short fall. Mature males have very short life-spans, while mature females can go on for many years. Do not buy a spider that is sluggish, especially if it is crouching with its legs curled under it at all, a sign of imminent death.
Tarantulas molt frequently before maturity, as often as every few weeks when very young.
Adult females usually molt once a year, although Chilean rose spiders have been known to skip years. Males die after the molt that brings them to sexual maturity. This species grows very slowly. When the spider is approaching a molt, it will stop feeding. However, this species in particular is notorious for stopping feeding for very long periods of time, as long as a year, for no clear reason.