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Animal Nails

Animal nails sound exactly like nail art designed with animals or animal prints in mind. These designs can include everything from cute little bunnies to bohemian elephants, so there's something for everyone. Overall, animal nail designs are a fun and creative way to show off your love for animals and add a unique touch to your nail art.
Animal nail designs are flexible in terms of design and color. You can choose a specific animal or even mix up different animals to create unique art. Some popular designs that go well with animal nail art designs include paw prints, scales, stripes, and spots. Animal faces or silhouettes can also be incorporated into the design for a more dramatic effect. You can pair the artwork with glitter or rhinestones for a glam effect or combine it with floral or tribal designs for a more eclectic look. General motifs include paw prints, fangs (like an alligator), claws (like a cat or tiger), feathers, horns/antlers (like a deer), and scales (like dragons). A good color combination for animal nails is one where the base color is similar to the animal's natural habitat—for example, yellowish green for frogs or brownish green for turtles. You can also add splashes of contrasting colors. Metallic colors, such as gold or silver, can also add a stylish touch to animal nail designs.
If you've never tried an animal nail design, now's the perfect time! Whether looking for something cute, cuddly, or edgy and fierce, animal nails can help you get there. We'll share some of the best animal nail designs so you can get inspired!

The Best Animal Nail Art Ideas

The Most Popular Animals for Nail Designs

Panda Nails
Bear Paw Nails
Tortoise Shell Nails
Butterfly Wing Nails
Ladybug Nails
Fish Scale Nails
Dragonfly Nails
Eagle Claw Nails
Bee Nails
Spiderweb Nails
Cat Nail Designs

Bat Nails
Owl Nails
Peacock Feather Nails
Flamingo Nail
 Octopus Nails
Jellyfish Nails
Dolphin Nails
Seahorse Nails
Crab Nails
Lobster Nails
Dog Nail Designs

Animal-Inspired Toe Nail Designs

Black and White Cow Print Pedicure Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4382
Black and White Cow Print Pedicure Design | Animal Print Nails - NB4382

Qashqai Nails | Persian | Tribal - NB242
Qashqai Nails | Persian | Tribal - NB242

Tropical Parrots Matte Pedicure Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-444
Tropical Parrots Matte Pedicure Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-444

Tropical Parrots Minimal Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-451
Tropical Parrots Minimal Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-451

Tropical Parrots Floral Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-453
Tropical Parrots Floral Toenail Design |Tropical-NB-D-453

Tropical Parrots Matte Nail Design | Tropical-NB-D-447
Tropical Parrots Matte Nail Design | Tropical-NB-D-447

Easter Pedicure Nail Design with a Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3782
Easter Pedicure Nail Design with a Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3782

What Nail Designs Go Well With Animal Patterns?

How to Choose the Best Colors for Animal Nails

When it comes to animal nail design, the best are those that complement the animal's natural coloring while also accentuating its unique features. First things first: what kind of animal are you going for? Do you want something that looks like a tiger? A lion? A dog? A cat? For example, if you want to paint a lion or an elephant on your nails, you may want to use shades of orange because they are both animals that live in warm climates. If you want to paint a dog or cat, you could use bright colors like green or blue because these animals have short hair, and it will make their coat look even shinier than it already is. It's also important to consider your animal's color naturally before choosing one for them.

Animal Nail Designs for Long Nails

Tropical Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-231
Tropical Animal Print Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-231

Spring Easter Bunny Nails | Easter Nails - NB3388
Spring Easter Bunny Nails | Easter Nails - NB3388

Ocean Plastics Effects on Marine Life | Nail Art | Save the Ocean Nails - NB3098
Ocean Plastics Effects on Marine Life | Nail Art | Save the Ocean Nails - NB3098

Glossy Nails with Cactus Wren Print| Desert Nail Design-NB-D-630
Glossy Nails with Cactus Wren Print| Desert Nail Design-NB-D-630

Purple Chrome Reindeer Nails | Christmas Nails - NB1377
Purple Chrome Reindeer Nails | Christmas Nails - NB1377

Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB15
Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB15

Flower Design Easter Nails with Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3392
Flower Design Easter Nails with Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3392

Tips for Animal Nail Designs

Use thin nail art brushes to create intricate details and textures, such as the spots on a leopard pattern or the scales on a snakeskin pattern.

Don't overdo it with animal patterns. Instead, incorporate them into your overall style in a subtle and tasteful way.

Choose colors that complement each other and the animal pattern you are trying to create.

Start with simple designs and gradually move on to more complex ones as you gain experience.

Use reference images to ensure accuracy and attention to detail.

Use glitter or rhinestone embellishments to add dimension and sparkle to your animal nail design.

Animal Nail Designs for Short Nails

Tropical Parrots Pink and Gray Minimal Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-450
Tropical Parrots Pink and Gray Minimal Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-450

Spongebob | Cartoon Nails - NB51
Spongebob | Cartoon Nails - NB51

Cute Forest Animals Nail Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB3029
Cute Forest Animals Nail Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB3029

Qashqai Nails | Persian | Tribal - NB180
Qashqai Nails | Persian | Tribal - NB180

Cute French Nails with Black Cat Head | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5786
Cute French Nails with Black Cat Head | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5786

A Fox and Snow Sparkle Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3146
A Fox and Snow Sparkle Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3146

Easter Nails with Bunny Ear Design | Easter Nails - NB3395
Easter Nails with Bunny Ear Design | Easter Nails - NB3395

Turquoise Color with Tropical Parrots Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-446
Turquoise Color with Tropical Parrots Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-446

Nail Design and Art / Animal Nails
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB754
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB754

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB450
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB450

Tiger Mismatched Nails
Tiger Mismatched Nails

Fasia.nails

Ruby Red Halloween Nails
Ruby Red Halloween Nails

Sylwia_nailss

3D Dragon Nails
3D Dragon Nails

Melificentnailartistry

Pumpkin Nails | Halloween - NB648
Pumpkin Nails | Halloween - NB648

Bunny Goth Nails
Bunny Goth Nails

Melificentnailartistry

Footprint and Pluto Dog
Footprint and Pluto Dog

Fasia.nails

Halloween Bat Nails
Halloween Bat Nails

Pauletta.nails

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB652
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB652

Cat Nails | Halloween - NB643
Cat Nails | Halloween - NB643

Halloween Blood Moon Nails
Halloween Blood Moon Nails

Melificentnailartistry

Tropical Parrots Black French with Leaf Nail Design|Tropical-NB-D-500
Tropical Parrots Black French with Leaf Nail Design|Tropical-NB-D-500

Tropical Parrots on Glossy Black Nails|Tropical-NB-D-505
Tropical Parrots on Glossy Black Nails|Tropical-NB-D-505

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB405
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB405

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB433
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB433

Horned Lizard Inspired Nail Design| Desert Nail Design-NB-D-633
Horned Lizard Inspired Nail Design| Desert Nail Design-NB-D-633

Haida Gwaii Animal-inspired Nail Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1851
Haida Gwaii Animal-inspired Nail Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1851

Leopard Nails Design with Rhinestones | Animal Print Nails - NB2515
Leopard Nails Design with Rhinestones | Animal Print Nails - NB2515

Black Christmas Nails Rhinestone Design | Embellished Nails - NB4926
Black Christmas Nails Rhinestone Design | Embellished Nails - NB4926

Cats in Witches
Cats in Witches' Hat Nail Design for Halloween | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5777

Black Nails with Cat in Hat Nail Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5778
Black Nails with Cat in Hat Nail Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5778

Black Matte Nails with Gold Accents for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3572
Black Matte Nails with Gold Accents for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3572

Glossy Black Easter Nails with 3D Embellishment | Easter Nails - NB3576
Glossy Black Easter Nails with 3D Embellishment | Easter Nails - NB3576

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB501
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB501

Black Easter Nails 3D Designs | Easter Nails - NB3570
Black Easter Nails 3D Designs | Easter Nails - NB3570

Scary Nails Design with Black Cat | Halloween Cat Nails - NB5875
Scary Nails Design with Black Cat | Halloween Cat Nails - NB5875

X-long Halloween Black Cat Nails | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5783
X-long Halloween Black Cat Nails | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5783

Rhinestone Reindeer Nail Art | Embellished Nails - NB4948
Rhinestone Reindeer Nail Art | Embellished Nails - NB4948

Square Stamped Nails
Square Stamped Nails

Blondivika_nsk

Halloween Black and Gray Nails with a Cat | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5781
Halloween Black and Gray Nails with a Cat | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5781

Minimal Black Nail Design for Halloween | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5779
Minimal Black Nail Design for Halloween | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5779

Animal-inspired Haida Gwaii Nails | Canadian | Tribal - NB1852
Animal-inspired Haida Gwaii Nails | Canadian | Tribal - NB1852

Alice in Wonderland Dark Nails
Alice in Wonderland Dark Nails

Daimondhand

Daffy Duck and Eggs
Daffy Duck and Eggs

Nailed.it.by.amber

Leopard Print Nails with Roses Accent Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2526
Leopard Print Nails with Roses Accent Nail Design | Animal Print Nails - NB2526

Cute Panda Pastel Nails
Cute Panda Pastel Nails

Fasia.nails

Salmon-inspired Haida Gwaii Nail Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1847
Salmon-inspired Haida Gwaii Nail Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1847

Nails with Silhouette Reindeers in Moonlight | Christmas Nails - NB1381
Nails with Silhouette Reindeers in Moonlight | Christmas Nails - NB1381

Mickey Mouse Eggshell-Effect Nails
Mickey Mouse Eggshell-Effect Nails

Nails_by_evelyn9

Reindeer in Moonlight Nail Art | Christmas Nails - NB1368
Reindeer in Moonlight Nail Art | Christmas Nails - NB1368

Tropical Parrots Pink and Gray Minimal Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-450
Tropical Parrots Pink and Gray Minimal Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-450

White Nails Bear Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3171
White Nails Bear Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3171

FAQs:

Animal nail designs can be suitable for all ages if they are age-appropriate and done safely and hygienically. Some animal nail designs, such as a cartoon or cute animal designs, can be suitable for children and young adults, while more sophisticated designs featuring animal prints or patterns can be appropriate for older adults.
Let Us Know Your Ideas and Suggestions