Woah! You can't go there!

While feeding and maintaining the bunch today Number3 decided she was going to go for a stroll. Right up the side of her deli cup. Usually they stop at the lip and turn back, or I can use a soft bristle paintbrush to herd them back, she did not stop. Fearing a fall I quickly put my hand in front of her, hoping she would turn back; she did not. She chose, instead, to continue right into my hand. Needless to say, I was quite nervous and unprepared for this encounter. Once in my hand she proceeded to walk about and explore this new surface, until she finally came to rest in my palm; I used my thumb as a road block to help slow her progress. (please read the warning about handling at the top of the page)

 The beautiful black coat emerged about 4 days after 21Jan10 molt.

Number3

They have also gained quite a bit in size after 21Jan10 molt.

Number3

Number1 Molted

At 0730 this morning I found Number1 looking pale and grey, sitting on the surface of the substrate next to her exuvium. She (yes female) had molted some time in the early hours of the morning. The exuvium was still moist, and there was fluid in the opisthosoma when examined under the microscope.
If my examinations are accurate Number1 and Number3 are female, and Number2 and Number4 are male.

Number1 Exuvium

 Number1 Post Molt

Number1 post Molt

Molt Update

Number1 is looking much darker today. A molt may happen in the next couple days. As of January 25, 2010 Number1 has not molted yet.

Notice the shiny black opisthosoma (rump).

First Molts

This morning at 0730 I discovered Number3 and Number4 had molted. prior to the molt each had stop accepting food after 2010January08.
When I first checked on the tarantulas I noticed number three looking very pale, a blue/grey tint, and became concerned about possible dehydration. I checked the others and noticed Number4 was also very pale. Number1 was looking normal, and Number2 was deep in its burrow. As I looked closer at Number3 I noticed something blocking the entrance to its burrow, it was the exuvium. I also noticed Number4 siting atop its exuvium in its burrow entrance. Closer examination of Number2 showed it to be in its burrow on its back, preparing to molt. By 1140 Number2 had finally freed itself from its exuvium. Number2 remained on its back for about another hour before righting itself. By 1700 Number3 and Number4 were sitting outside their burrows preening. Number2 was still in its burrow.
All were healthy, and emerged from their molts safe and without harm. Upon examining each exuvium I was able to make a preliminary determination as to their genders. Do to the small size of each (~2" leg span pre-molt) I can not conclusively confirm gender. My initial thoughts, after examination, are Number2 male, Number3 female, Number4 male.
I used a Bausch & Lomb KD330 dissecting microscope with a 10x eyepiece and a 2x objective (20x magnification) to examine the exuvium and pinpoint the epigastric furrow; an area of ~1mm. In each image the prosoma is toward the top.

 Bausch & Lomb KD330 Dissecting Microscope

Number2 Exuvium                                                                                        

Number3 Exuvium

Number4 Exuvium

Number4 post-molt (lighted with LED)

Number3 post-molt (lighted with natural light)