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This tarantula in Westminster is ready to hold your hand again

Rosie has been held by over 3 million guests over the last 25 years.

WESTMINSTER, Colo. — Rosie is back.

Colorado's Butterfly Pavilion has announced Rosie the Chilean rose hair tarantula will be back crawling on guests' hands starting May 28, 2021.

Guests over the age of three can hold Rosie, who has been held by over three million guests over the last 25 years of operation, according to Butterfly Pavilion.

“When we’ve asked guests what we could do to improve their Butterfly Pavilion visit during the pandemic, ‘Bring back Rosie’ was the number one answer,” said Patrick Tennyson, Butterfly Pavilion President and CEO. “Kids love holding Rosie, in many cases creating a lifelong connection to environmental conservation. The Return of Rosie is one of the first signs that this summer, things will start returning to normal.” 

Butterfly Pavilion said it has worked with state and local health departments to ensure families have a fun, safe visit with Rosie.

In addition to bringing Rosie back, Butterfly Pavilion announced they will extend their operating hours to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. this summer starting May 28 through Sept. 6, 2021. Masks will continue to be required.

Rosie comes from the Atacama Desert in Chile.

According to Butterfly Pavilion, Chilean rose hair tarantulas live in a burrow under the ground, which is cool and safe. Because rose hair tarantulas are used to living in a dark, quiet burrow, they are very gentle animals and make for a great ambassador for arachnids.

For more information, please visit www.butterflies.org/visit/visitor-information.   

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