Long Nails

[TwoLtrBoxer]

I am having some problems handling my 3yr old male Veiled Chameleon Jerry due to his long nails. Iv tried using different colored gloves but he strikes at the glove every time so he prefers bare skin. The problem is that he grips really hard and it starts to cut into my hand. Is there any solution to this?

 

[Syn]

Not handling him.

It stresses a lot of chameleons out. It's not necessary to hold them, they can live without it.

 

[Jakedn]

I would try to find some gloves that match the color of your skin or possibly just wear a long sleeve shirt and have him hold on to that.

 

[TwoLtrBoxer]

Not handling him.

It stresses a lot of chameleons out. It's not necessary to hold them, they can live without it.

I understand that it stresses them out but when I need to clean the cage i need to take him out.

 

[Syn]

I understand that it stresses them out but when I need to clean the cage i need to take him out.

So let him crawl onto a stick or a branch and put him onto a ficus or something else and perhaps put him in the shower for some good hydration?

 

[james L]

Try getting him to crawl on a stick that your holding and quickly pull him out, they tend to grab on to someting on the way out of the cage.

 

[Carlton]

Simplest thing is to wear a shirt with overly long sleeves. A neutral colored shirt (boring beige) should work. Just leave the shirt by the cage. If you provide lots of naturally rough barked branches in the cage it will help keep the claw tips from getting too sharp. There isn't really a way to trim the claws safely.

 

[Nosybe]

I wear gardening gloves when handling my veiled when I am cleaning the cage.

 

[TwoLtrBoxer]

Simplest thing is to wear a shirt with overly long sleeves. A neutral colored shirt (boring beige) should work. Just leave the shirt by the cage. If you provide lots of naturally rough barked branches in the cage it will help keep the claw tips from getting too sharp. There isn't really a way to trim the claws safely.

thanks i will give that a try because his nails are getting ridiculously sharp

 

[justjumpit621]

It would be harmless to clip the ends off of them so they don't hurt. I do it for Molly because they do get ridiculously sharp. They can still grip and it doesn't effect them at all as long as you don't cut them too short.

 

[Syn]

It would be harmless to clip the ends off of them so they don't hurt. I do it for Molly because they do get ridiculously sharp. They can still grip and it doesn't effect them at all as long as you don't cut them too short.

You do realize that nails have a blood supply, correct? You also realize that chameleons have evolved to have long nails for a purpose, correct(GRIPPING!)?

 

[justjumpit621]

yes, I work at a vets office and also have a grooming business. Did YOU know that the blood supply, or quick, does not go to the end of the nail. Which is why we clip them. But also, in the wild there are harder trees for them to climb so their nails get worn down easier, unlike climbing on those soft reptivines and branches. It does not affect them in the least if you trim just the sharp tips off, they can still climb and do all their little chameleon things, just without the pain.

 

[Sang]

I strongly disagree with the clipping/trimming of ANY reptiles nails, they have them for a reason, regaurdless of your need to handle them in comfert. the act of cutting/trimming the nails will be stressful enough.

there are better solutions then the cutting of the nails.

 

[sallyb]

I know that feeling well Gizzys nails are now like razors and she has taken to climbing my face to sit on my head. It isn`t the nicest experience in the world and i can`t find a glove to fit my head in, lol.

 

[OOOst16]

well erven iff id stay away from trimming a chams nails...it would be to stressful for you and the reptile.