Nail Clipping

[Joey1983]

How often should this be done? I feel like each time I pick up Barry his nails scratch the heck out of my hand! Can you use a nail clipper? Is here a danger of cutting too short and causing a bleed like with dogs?

[Alioop]

Hi Joey, I just want to remind you that we have a great search engine on this forum that allows you to search through old threads. This question gets asked at least monthly. So next time, please do a search first!

Yes, you can cut the nail too short and it will bleed. You can also quite easily cut a toe off by accident. Making things even more challenging, your skink will probably not hold still for you. Many keepers (myself included) NEVER cut the toe nails. Each of my skinks has a slate basking rock to climb on and this files the nails down naturally, so they aren't unbearably sharp. I would recommend putting something like this in your tank over trying to cut the nails.

[Linnea]

If the BTS nails are very much too long they will need to be cut in order to avoid having its toes "curl", being a both painful and scary looking state. look at the caresheet for example pictures. however, nailclipping is NOT the first thing you should resort to.

easiest is to put in some slate or rock for him to bask on, or something with a somewhat scratchy surface. your terrarium interior plays a major role in the natural nail-filing of your skink, and is the best way in my opinion

in case you recently got your skink, or if youve noticed they look too long for his toes, maybe even curling, then it is safe to use a small nail clipper. some guidelines:

- make sure to be quick, the bts WILL pull its arm away and you do not want to pull off the finger D:
- dont cut too far in, as with dog nails, it will bleed and be a risk of infection. if it bleeds, wash and use some cotton on till it stops bleeding properly.

note that your bts nails will scratch you even at proper lenght. theyre not made for climbing, but for digging and foraging and moving the body forward so the grip is really bad. if you were clinging to something but werent able to grip it well, would you not also dig in your nails harder? XD
solution: use a long armed shirt or a towel under the skink. both of you will be happy.

[Leigh]

There is no need to cut nails ever.... If they become too long they can be filed down just like humans, or take them onto a stone path or patio and let them have a wander.

[Spindown]

I've only got one of 4 i have to trim, and thats because I need a better basking area... They all wear down their nails on their rocks.
Its a pain in the butt to trim nails, I'd recommend the windmill technique if you can do it.

I've also got one that I had to trim when i got him since his were so long they were curling..... >.<
He hates it and bites when you go for his nails.