A reptile paradise in France

Anyone who has seen the cover of the Vogue fashion magazine, an advertisement for BMW or France Télécom or even the film Genesis in recent years will almost certainly have come across reptiles from the French pet supplies company La Ferme Tropicale. The small pet store chain established by Karim Daoues is not only in demand among reptile experts. Even the advertising business is benefiting from the virtually endless variety of reptiles offered by La Ferme.
The approach to La Ferme Tropicale's headquarters in Paris seems pretty ordinary. The entrance to the building of the company, which has been in existence since 1993, is through a back yard. However, the actual shop extending over an area of 650 m² affords the customer an insight into the world of reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates and access to a range that is unrivalled in Europe. It is not for nothing that the company describes itself as "the leader in herpetoculture in Europe". A motivated and passionate team of twelve experienced employees in the store in Paris is responsible for instructing and advising everybody from beginners to professionals. Customers are offered a wide selection of reptiles, most of which are captive bred. To improve its offering and services, the company of founder Karim Daoues opened a second facility covering 600 m² in 2005. The purpose of the new breeding centre, located just outside Paris, is to breed, care for and acclimatise the animals in the most efficient and rational way possible, according to the company. Experience and expansion The growing success of the company, established by Daoues at the age of 17 in premises covering just 50 m², gave rise to expansion plans, which were eventually realised with the opening of a subsidiary in Miami/Florida at the end of 2014. The company also operates an online shop. This was made possible thanks to its collaboration with a former customer in the USA.
To offer customers not only the best possible selection of exotic species, but also to be able to guarantee their healthy condition, La Ferme Tropicale has developed exclusive partnerships with several breeding centres in the last 21 years. The company also provides logistical and technical support to achieve optimal breeding results. "We regularly work hand in hand with various centres in order to assure the best care for the animals and stronger commercial ties," says the company. To ensure they are healthy, most animals are accommodated in a quarantine station before they…