Finally, the new exoskeleton enlarges and hardens. It will be several days before this last part is complete, and the spider does not eat, nor should it be handled, during this time. So, if you happen to see your tarantula lying upside down, DO NOT touch it - tarantulas do not die naturally on their backs. To help insure a successful molt remove any live food, mist the substrate with water to increase humidity a bit, and make sure the water dish is full. From the outside, the sex of a tarantula cannot always be determined with certainty unless the animal is an adult or almost an adult.
Males are generally more slender than females, and have longer legs and smaller abdomens.
Females never have these hooks. If your tarantula is an adult male the ends of these appendages appear a little bit swollen. The pedipalp ends of immature males, and of females of any age, look like the ends of the walking legs. Longevity depends, of course, on the species as well as how it is kept. Inc. Both are often available in pet stores.