kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  market - home
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter link to us on LinkedIn
 
Click here for Dragon Serpents
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: Pancake, a Kemp's ridley sea turtle gets released back to the wild . . . . . . . . . .  Will leopard geckos help in unlocking cancers secrets? . . . . . . . . . .  USARK Action Alerts - MD, AL and TX . . . . . . . . . .  Project Rattlecam brings herping into your home . . . . . . . . . .  Get Ready! IHS turns 50 this year . . . . . . . . . .  ALERT: DIAMONDBACK TERRAPINS . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake out and about this weekend . . . . . . . . . .  NARBC shows how the reptile community comes together . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com is coming to Tinley NARBC . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake battles a Rattlesnake . . . . . . . . . .  An Educational Roundup? . . . . . . . . . .  The battle for survival for the Ibiza wall lizards . . . . . . . . . .  Bringing back the Horned Lizard . . . . . . . . . .  UGA Study shows pathogens threaten snakes survival in Southern US . . . . . . . . . .  First time Sea Turtle nesting in Florida . . . . . . . . . .  New regulations on Native Species for Wisconsin Keepers . . . . . . . . . .  Heavy Metal Scorpion . . . . . . . . . .  How a python change the course of Attenbourgh's life . . . . . . . . . .  Make good choices . . . . . . . . . .  Burmese found on roadside in Wisconsin raises issues . . . . . . . . . .  Happy Earth Day . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake Merch Store . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake returns to Tinley . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com joins Monitor Brains! . . . . . . . . . .  Sneak Peek . . . . . . . . . .  Amphibian gut bacteria showing promise in cancer research . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Meet The Baroness - The world's longest snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Aug 16, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Aug 22, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - Aug 28, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Sept 02, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Sept 19, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - Sept 20, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - Sep 25, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - Sep 26, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Tucson Herpetological Society Meeting - Sept 28, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Reptile Super Show - Oct 3-4 2026 . . . . . . . . . . 

Turtle Nails


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Turtle Forum ]

Posted by Katrina on May 11, 2003 at 21:37:35:

In Reply to: Turtle Nails posted by Aquarius on May 07, 2003 at 10:22:20:

I'm not an expert, but I've seen a fair number of turtles in the last few years. Basically, for sliders and similarly sized North American aquatics (painteds, cooters, maps), the nails start getting longer at about 3-4 inches. I've received some adult male painted turtles raised in less than perfect conditions that DIDN'T have the long nails, so living conditions can be a factor. I've found three inch wild painteds, though, with very long front nails.

Turtles do not shed their nails. Occasionally they might loose a nail due to an infection, and it may or may not grow back.

I've never tried to trim the nails on an aquatic turtle, because I've never seen them grow too long, no matter what the living conditions. I don't see an aesthetic reason for cutting the nails on a turtle.

Other than the mating ritual, I don't know why the males have longer nails.

Katrina

:Hi All

:I help moderate another turtle forum, and lately we have been getting alot of turtle nail questions. And despite researching I just can't seem to find the answers........I hope someone on here can assist, with either places that do have this information or the answers themselves....lol

:1. Male RES turtle nails....at what age (or aroundwhat age) do they start to grow??

:2. Do turtles shed their nails....you know the way some cats and dogs do (without losing the whole nail)

:3. Are RES (male) turtles capable of growing back lost nails, if they break or get cut

:4. What would happen if I trimmed by male RES nails, for aesthetic reasons (this one wasnt to well received but it was a question more I think out of just curiosity)

:5. What is the point of males having those long claws....mating dance only or is there something else to them.

:Thanks in Advance





Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Turtle Forum ]
Click to visit DM Exotics Click to visit Sierra Fish and Pets Click to visit Classifieds
KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Quick Links
Community
Legal & Safety
Support

Register for free ✓ Sign up!

Kingsnake.com ® is a registered trademark © 1997-