Trimming nails???

When and how do you trim beardie nails? I am nervous to do it. Is there something else I can do instead of trimming ? Can they just be filed or something?

I don't bother unless their nails are cutting me or causing a problem. You can cut them using nail clippers. Just cut the very sharp end. If you run the clippers along the inside of the nail you will feel a bump toward the end where the nail tip begins. You can also file them down using an emery board. I've found it easiest to do this in the evening when they are less energetic. I also only work on one hand/foot at a time since they tend to get squirmy after a little bit. It takes a bit of patience but isn't too hard.

I use rough textured floor tile for a substrate, it keeps her nails filed for me and, it's easy to clean, doesn't promote mold or bacteria growth.

If you dragon will sit for it you can file them down (if they are scratching you or more importantly they are getting caught in things, like a hammock if they have one or on their carpeting, as they can actually hurt their legs from yanking them to free their nails), but if your dragon is like my 6-month old boy he refuses to sit still long enough for me to file them, so I clip them when they get to that point.

It's easy, but always good to have some corn starch or styptic powder (Qwik Stop) on hand just in case you clip too much off, as they do have a vein just like dogs do. If you look at his nails from the side you'll see the portion of the end of his nails that is like an "overhang" over the pulp, that's all you want to clip off, just the part of the nail's tip that is sticking out beyond the pulp. I just take the very tip off of the end of each one and that's it, no big deal and once you do it once or twice it's easy.

I'm so glad to have come across this topic with the information given by CooperDragon and EllenD being very comforting! Iggy's claws are like little razor blades at the moment and keep tearing into any skin they latch onto, and right now certain spots on my body are throbbing in pain even though he's been asleep for the past 5-6 hours, at least! It's just due to the sharp little scratches he's left behind on me. I'll be sure to trim his claws upon having him wake up, most likely with an emery board