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Turtle Nails: Care, Trimming, and Potential Issues 🐢

If you have turtles then you have to consider all their needs including your turtles nails. It is not enough to simply provide an enclosure and food. There is a lot more you need to consider.

For instance, you also have to ensure their nails and beaks are kept at a manageable length.

You don’t need to worry. Caring for a turtle is a simple process as they are low maintenance.

In fact, at most you only need to trim the turtle’s nails twice per year. Most turtle owners trim their turtles’ nails just once a year.

If the turtle’s nails/claws are overgrown, it’s easy to notice. Apart from trimming the nails, you might as well consider trimming the beak in addition, if you have a tortoise.

While the nails are super easy to trim yourself, the beak can be trickier as you need to file it down. This is because it isn’t easy to hold the turtle down and file its beak at the same time.

Table of contents

  1. Why do turtles need their nails trimmed?
  2. Which turtles need nail trimming and which don’t?
  3. Turtle and Tortoise nail trimming breakdown by type
  4. How to know if your turtle’s nails need trimming
  5. Do turtles have nails or do they have claws?
  6. How to trim turtle claws/nails

Why do turtles need their nails trimmed?

Turtles and tortoises have nails that grow continuously – just like us. They are composed of hard keratin, the same protein that makes up the outer layer of their shells.

At the base of the nail, there is also a living centre, which is called the quick. Often, this part looks pink or dark when you hold it up the light, and this is a great way to avoid accidentally cutting into it.

In the wild, many turtles wear down their nails by foraging, digging, and climbing in and out of water. Scratching their nails on rocks and varied terrain helps keep their nails to a healthy length.

You wouldn’t expect to see a wild Box Turtle with longs nails, for instance, because they wear them down within days of emerging from hibernation (brumation).

In captivity, on the other hand, turtles often spend their time on smoother surfaces, and get a lot more food – two factors that let their nails grow and grow, until they become a hindrance to them when walking.

Which turtles need nail trimming and which don’t?

Not all turtles need their nails trimming. In fact, some aquatic turtles grow them long on purpose.

To name an example, male Red Eared Sliders grow beautiful long nails, which they use to tickle females as part of a mating ritual. If you trim these, then this could lead to considerable distress for the animal.

What you will also notice with a lot of the truly aquatic turtles is that the nails on their back legs rarely if ever need trimming.

The below video really highlights the long nails on the male slider.

Turtle and Tortoise nail trimming breakdown by type

Take a look at the table below to find out which species of turtle do need their nails trimming, and which species don’t:

SpeciesDo they need their nails trimming?
All TortoisesYes
SlidersNo
CootersNo
Painted TurtlesNo
Map TurtlesNo
North American Box TurtlesYes
Asian Box TurtlesYes (if curling)
Ornate Wood TurtlesNo
Softshell TurtlesNo
Sideneck TurtlesNo

How to know if your turtle’s nails need trimming

Just because some of these species may need their nails trimming, it doesn’t mean that you should do it on a regular basis.

Trimming their nails is stressful, and should be done when you are certain it is necessary.

Instead, only do it if you see one of the following clues:

  • The nails are starting to curl
  • The nails are starting to point in different directions to each other
  • The turtle/tortoise is having difficulty walking
  • For tortoises, if the quick is taking up less than half of the nail

For aquatic turtles, you may never have to trim their nails, and it isn’t really recommended anyway. If they seem excessively long, it is a good idea to seek the advice of a specialist reptile vet before taking any action.

If you do have a species that requires nail trimming, always use a flashlight to look for the quick, and avoid cutting into it.

Do turtles have nails or do they have claws?

Turtle nails are also referred to as claws. They are one and the same.

How to trim turtle claws/nails

Trimming turtle nails

The same process you follow when trimming turtle nails also applies when trimming tortoise nails. A question many pet owners ask is “Can I cut my turtles nails?” Well, you can. The process is quite simple. You should be able to follow it with little to no fuzz.

Firstly, you need supplies. To trim the turtle’s nails/ claws, you need

  • Cat or dog nail trimmer, you can also use a human cuticle nail trimmer. I recommend the Boshel Cat Nail Clippers.
  • Antibiotic ointment/coin starch (in case of bleeding)
  • Towel

How To Cut Turtle Nails

Step 1

Before you even start the process, you need to ensure the turtle’s safety. The turtle will likely not remain still as they are uncomfortable with human handling.

To stop the squirming, it is a good idea to warp the turtle in a towel. In addition to binding the turtle and making it more comfortable, the towel adds extra grip.

When trimming the nails of the from limbs, bind the back half of the turtle’s body firmly in a towel. The binding should be firm but not hard enough to harm the turtle.

You may also want to place the turtle between your thighs or on a table or hard surface. Alternatively (an probably better), you can have someone help you with the trimming process.

An extra pair of hands is always a plus. The person can hold the turtle as you trim the nails.

Step 2
Boshel Cat Nail Clipper - Razor-Sharp & Angled Cat Nail Trimmer, Non-Slip Handels Cat Claw Clippers, Pet Nail Clippers for Small Dog and Cats, Light Weight Cat Clippers for Nails, Cat Nail Clippers

The nail clippers you are going to use need to be proportional to the size of the turtle and its nails.

For big turtles and tortoises, dog nail clippers may be needed.

For tiny turtles, you can use cat clippers. Even manicure clippers can be used.

One clipper type to avoid is the guillotine clippers.

These offer you little control and accuracy.

Step 3

Now, you need to simply clip the nails. When clipping the nail try to keep it as close as possible without hitting the quick.

This is the part of the nail that receives blood flow. You should be able to see exactly where and what to trim when you use a cat nail trimmer.

With the guillotine nail clippers, it can be difficult to know if you’re cutting too close to the quick. Once you are done with front nails, you can then move onto the back nails.

Trimming the turtle’s nails is usually a simple and incidence-free activity.

In case you cut into the quick

If you cut too close to the quick of the nail, you can superficially injure the turtle.

If that happens, use the cornstarch to treat this bleeding. Simply dab some corn starch onto the tip of the nails, just enough to stop the bleeding.

You can also apply some antibacterial ointment as well to ensure there is no infection.

If you have never worked on turtle nails, you may think it’s highly unlikely that you will harm the turtle as cutting nails seems like a rather simple activity.

However, turtles usually squirm when you hold them. Don’t expect them to remain still, and a sudden jerk can lead to injury.

Turtles are resilient creatures and they should be fine in no time at all. If you do cut too close to the quick, keep an eye on the injury and ensure that it is treated in order to avoid infections.

It is always a good idea to have another person help you with the trimming process. The other person can hold down the turtle so you can use both hands to trim the nails.

Useful tips

  • As shy creatures, turtles will tuck their limbs into their shell making it slightly tricky for you to access their nails. Be patient and gently get hold of the nails. If you are not confident enough to trim the nails yourself have a professional do it. Many herp vets can easily trim the nails for you. You can watch closely and learn. A more experienced turtle keeper can also help you trim your turtle’s nails.
  • Turtles generally dislike being held. This means even the calmest turtle can become vicious as you try to trim their nails. They may bite you and even try to scratch you with the long nails you are trying to trim. Wrapping the turtle up helps calm it down, and prevent the turtle from moving too much. The turtle may be squirmish so take your time.
  • If the turtle won’t stick out the limb, you can try tickling the plastron (the underside of the shell). The sensation can cause the turtle to untuck the limbs so you can trim the nails.
  • Holding the animal in the air rather than on a solid surface can cause the turtle to extend its limbs as it tries to find the ground. This should give the opportunity to trim the nails.
  • You can gently push on the leg on the other side of the retracted limb. The turtle may respond by pushing out the limb on the opposite end.
  • Lastly, you need to be patient. Do not shake the turtle or even jiggle it in an attempt to get it to retract its limbs. This is very stressful for the turtle and can even lead to injuries. Simply avoid this.

Once again if you are unsure, visit a veterinarian.

The video below demonstrates how to cut your turtle/tortoise nails.

Conclusion

In an artificial set up such as a terrarium, turtles are unable to naturally trim (wear down) their nails and beak. This can cause their nails, in particular, to overgrow. Apart from overgrown nails, an overgrown upper beak is another issue to consider.

If you have any questions or information, please leave a comment below.

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Janet

Wednesday 2nd of March 2022

Wait??? WHAT THE HELL IS THIS ARTICLE?? YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO CUT AQUATIC TURTLE NAILS!!! THE MALES USE THEM FOR MATING! CUTTING THEM IS LITERALLY CUTTING OFF HIS MANHOOD OR LIKE A DOGS TAIL! CUTTING THEM IS ANIMAL CRUELTY AND COMPLETELY UNNECESSARY! 231 PEOPLE LIKED THIS ARTICLE, THAT'S 231 PEOPLE THAT GOT BAD ADVICE, AND 231 TURTLES THAT PROBABLY LOST THEIR LIVES OR EXPERIENCED EXTREME PAIN BECAUSE OF YOU! LOOK IT UP, SPEAK TO YOUR VET! YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSE TO CUT AQUATIC TURTLE NAILS!

sam

Monday 8th of August 2022

@Janet, how many turtles do you care for?

Laura

Sunday 10th of July 2022

@Janet, are you serious? the article literally says that you shouldn't cut their nails.

Aaron Martak

Monday 9th of August 2021

Thank you so very much for this. I have a snapping turtle that needed his nails trimmed but i didn't really know how to go about it.

Jeannie Self

Tuesday 21st of April 2020

How long do they live?

AllTurtles

Wednesday 22nd of April 2020

It depends on the type of turtle or tortoise you have, but a range would be anywhere from 20 - 100 years... They live a long time.