Chameleons are known for many things. Some consider them as reptiles with funny bodies that camouflage, while others have firm beliefs that they are dangerous.
But with all that, some Kenyans have embraced them and are making good money from farming them for commercial purposes.
The success stories from some earlier adopters of this less popular venture prove that farmers are earning a lot from selling chameleons.
As of 2014, Vincent Buyangu, the Marketing Manager at Buyangu Farm, told a local publication that one chameleon was retailing for up to Ksh2,000. However, the fortunes from this venture have since changed with the reptiles costing as much as Ksh7,000.
“One chameleon fetches about Ksh2,000. If a farmer reared 500 chameleons a year, he or she is likely to earn Ksh1,000,000 a year,” Buyangu stated during a past interview.
A Kirinyaga eco-tourism Self Help Group also ventured into this lucrative farming. From their initial stories, this new farming is well paying.
The demand for chameleons has been soaring in recent times. Some buy them to keep as pets particularly in countries such as the United States, Spain, Portugal, Japan, Netherlands, England, South Korea, and Germany
In Kenya, the market is not that at par with other countries such as Tanzania and Madagascar that are already recognised in international markets.
Statistics released by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), revealed that Madagascar exports up to five different chameleon species that are up to 66,500.
But for one to venture into this well-paying form of farming, acquisition of a permit from the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) is mandatory. This is because chameleons are protected by law.
Another important factor is abiding by international laws governing the importation of chameleons.
Farm bred chameleons are now the most preferred option for imports. This has been informed by stringent international wildlife conservation and management regulations aimed at discouraging the importation of caught chameleons.
The international wildlife laws only allow the exportation of young chameleons and not the indigenous ones.
Breeds Mostly Sold
The most common bred kept in Kenya is Jackson's chameleon. Others are pardalis, calyptratus, quadricornis, melleri, deremensis, lateralis, gracilis, dilepis, and even the tiny ellioti.
Adult Jackson's chameleon males are usually light and are emerald green, with yellow throat, shoulders, flanks, and crest scales.
The males have three horns and generally attain a length of 25-30 cm. Females are 5cm shorter than male.
Requirements for Chameleon Farming
The main consideration is caging as they do not strive well during the cold season. They need a lot of ventilation so a screen enclosure is the most ideal.
Light is also required as it gives them warmth because it is essential for both their physical health and mental health.
Chameleons drink water from leaves or as it collects from their body.
A well-balanced diet is required. They generally feed on insects, so a proper supply of insects is required.
Young ones need to separated from older ones as most male chameleons tend to have cannibalism traits.
They attain maturity after two years. But after mating, they give birth to 12-40 young ones after three months.
Market
The main market is in Europe, Asia, and America. They are usually sold in pairs. Farm-bred chameleons are sold when they are F1 generation.
About 2,000 chameleons are sold annually to the local market in Kenya.
Some people used them to decorate their houses. The local market is faced with other marketing challenges associated with beliefs and attitudes towards the chameleon.
To export them, farmers must get legal export and import papers from KWS and international bodies.
