Notes and Observations of Poecilotheria smithi and the Threat to its Survival in Captivity and Sri Lanka

Poecilotheria smithi is without doubt the most endangered species of Poecilotheria in Sri Lanka, if not the world. Captive reproduction of this species, though regular in the past, is now almost non-existent. This is mainly due to lack of demand for this species in the hobby in recent years, resulting in breeders not bothering to breed the species. The possibility that the captive population has been contaminated with hybridised German stock has also discouraged breeding attempts. Searches in the wild for this species in December 2004 by Andrew Smith failed to locate any specimens. However, in April 2005 a single freshly moulted female was discovered by one of the authors (Gabriel, 2005). Two adult females and four juvenile specimens were subsequently observed by the authors in July 2005.