Reptile & Amphibian Forums

i was wondering if anyone cut the nails of their collareds.idk how i would do it, and i dont know if it should be done. i always assumed their nails filled themselves down on the rocks and stuff. but idk...... i have gotten quite a few scratches to the face from these guys jumping and clawing....just wondering whats the right way to go about it...
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Guy LoPresti
2.2 collared lizards (Lizzy,Stevie 2,Ike,Adrien)
1.1 firebelly toads
1 baby emperor scorpion (ceasar "caligula" )
( if you know what caligula means you'll get it)
4 dogs (groucho charles bugs Gracie)

Personally I would never cut my lizard's nail, too risky that you would cut too deeply and cause a traumatic injury. My lizards give their nails a workout with all the jumping and climbing they do.

I think Boost is right. Their claws are just too tiny, and you shouldn't look upon any scratches you receive from them in the same way as you would from those inflicted by the family dog. Their claws weren't designed to jump onto soft surfaces like skin. They cannot get good grip on it and end up sliding. I think scratches from a clipped claw would still occur, but they would probably be even wider. And they are just so tiny that I don't see how they could be cut without causing injury to the lizard. Think about how easy it is to cut the nail of a dog too far and the damage it causes. Clipping doesn't always just cut; it can also smash the remaining edge of the claw.
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Valerie

We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now.
--Martin Luther King, Jr.--

God bless the USA

ok thanks alot!! i wasnt sure if i was supposed to do it or not and wasnt sure if anyone else did it for that matter.in turms of scracthes, i dont mind, i have gotten a few to the face, tho buts it never been a big deal. thanks alot guys.
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Guy LoPresti
2.2 collared lizards (Lizzy,Stevie 2,Ike,Adrien)
1.1 firebelly toads
1 baby emperor scorpion (ceasar "caligula" )
( if you know what caligula means you'll get it)
4 dogs (groucho charles bugs Gracie)

I have had a few collareds/ lizards that hsve one or two nails that will get too long and curl into the next nail, or just become a nuisance for the lizard.
So I get a small pair of sharp manicuring scissors and very carefully snip the tips/ or curly part off.

I am used to doing this with my dogs, and small rodents over the years. You have to be sure not to cut down where th vein is, so if their nails are not bad don't bother.
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PHEve / Eve