Untamed Adult Beardie with Long Nails

Hey everyone, I just received a (about) 16 inch long bearded dragon from my brother. I had to convince my brother to sell the beardie to me because he was not taking proper care of him (the 20 gallon tank he had him in was absolutely disgusting, the water dish had food and poop in it, and his nails are outrageously long). I was able to move him into a nice 75 gallon tank that my uncle had and he already seems happier. Now I am just concerned if I will be able to tame him. He is ok if I put my hand in the tank but is very aware and if I get too close, he runs away. I do not even want to pick him up yet because his nails look dangerous but I doubt that I would be able to if I tried. I currently have a leopard gecko and have previously owned a crested and giant day gecko so I am fairly knowledgable when it comes to lizards but I have never had to clip their nails haha. Any suggestions on how to clip his nails or tame him? Thanks!

Ps: I have him in a 75 gallon tank with coconut fiber substrate, 35% humidity, his basking spot is about 105 degrees with the cool side of the tank being about 80 degrees, I have a water dish large enough for him to take a dip in as well as a smaller water dish, and a small food dish. Please let me know if any of this needs to me changed.

The coconut fiber --- please get rid of it ---NO walnut shells either--- go w/ either some textured NON adhesive shelf liner or slated ceramic tile -- nothing too course ---- and tile would need to be cut w/ a tile cutter to prevent jagged edges --- you mentioned NO UVB ?
Karrie

Oh, yes, I do have a uvb there as well. I am surprised to hear that about the coconut fiber! I already had some on hand and a quick google search said it would work. Thank you though! Also, is there a good way to get ahold of him to trim his nails? I do not think he has been handled in a while and he scatters away if I touch him. I also am afraid that his nails will scratch and cut me pretty badly.
Austin

What is the UVB your using? Brand and bulb and is it a coil or tube? The nails I dont touch as mine are on tile so the tile keeps them dulled down --- some one else will haft to help you w/ the nail thing
Karrie

It is a Zoomed 5.0 UVB tube.

Do you have the 5.0 inside the tank? It is not as strong as the 10.0 and should be inside tank approx 8-10.inches from basking decor no cover over bulb - replace in 6 months- ahbd or one of the others would need to help you w/ the nails
Karrie

Please post a picture of his nails. There's only a small bit at the end that can be trimmed without injuring them and it'd be good for folks to check out what you mean before recommending whether or not to try to trim them. For my part, I have a chunk of lava rock that mine can use to scratch nails, shed, etc. on if they feel the need.

I sort of went through the same with one of my beardies that I adopted. Long nails and did not like being touched. The original owner actually told me I should wear gloves taking her out of the tank when I was picking her up from him. I didn't and was fine. Her nails were long and she definitely didn't like being held but all my skin was still intact afterwards. I agree a pic of the nails will help with what we would recommend. I use cat nail clippers on mine.

Also do you know if your uvb bulb is a t5 or a t8? Distances and how often you will need to replace them are different for each.

You may want to not try to trim the nails until you and the beardie are more comfortable with handling, but cat/bird/lizard nail clippers work well (check prices in all 3 of those sections of pet store- exact same tool, and I can almost guarantee 3 different prices).
In the meantime, consider a piece of not-slippery-smooth tile in just part of the cage. I don't like the entire floor in my beardie's viv tiled (I use a rubbery, textured non-adhesive shelf liner as flooring), but I do have some tile in an area he tends to run across often, and that's done wonders for his nails! :0)

A piece of textured ceramic tile would work ---- not something too rough tho I use a textured ceramic in my tanks and it keeps the nails down
Karrie