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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

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

Turkey Toe Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1212
Turkey Toe Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1212

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

Glitter Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1208
Glitter Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1208

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

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 Parrots with Flower Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-445
Tropical Parrots with Flower Nail Design |Tropical-NB-D-445

Colorful Easter Eggs Nail Design | Easter Nails - NB3594
Colorful Easter Eggs Nail Design | Easter Nails - NB3594

Blue and White French Tips for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3549
Blue and White French Tips for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3549

Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails with Blue and White Tips | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1820
Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails with Blue and White Tips | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1820

Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails Glitter Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1825
Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails Glitter Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1825

Jerry on Accent Nail
Jerry on Accent Nail

Olga_soloveva._

Hallowen Trick or Treat Nails
Hallowen Trick or Treat Nails

Nailed.it.by.amber

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

Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB11
Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB11

Minimal Easter Bunnies and Flowers Nail Design | Easter Nails - NB3466
Minimal Easter Bunnies and Flowers Nail Design | Easter Nails - NB3466

Pastel Leopard Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2550
Pastel Leopard Print Nails | Animal Print Nails - NB2550

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB752
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB752

White Bunny Boy Nail Design | Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6460
White Bunny Boy Nail Design | Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6460

Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB23
Mickey Mouse | Cartoon Nails - NB23

Polar Lights Design French Nails with Hares | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3120
Polar Lights Design French Nails with Hares | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3120

Gothic Christmas
Gothic Christmas

Melificentnailartistry

Nail Design and Art / Animal Nails
Haida Gwaii Animal-inspired Nail Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1851
Haida Gwaii Animal-inspired Nail Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1851

Wooden Effect Coast Salish Animal Motifs Nail Art | Canadian | Tribal - NB1497
Wooden Effect Coast Salish Animal Motifs Nail Art | Canadian | Tribal - NB1497

Matte Nails Inspired by Coast Salish Animal Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1492
Matte Nails Inspired by Coast Salish Animal Design | Canadian | Tribal - NB1492

Animals-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB845
Animals-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB845

Ojibwe Animals-inspired Nails | Tribal - NB840
Ojibwe Animals-inspired Nails | Tribal - NB840

Animals-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB838
Animals-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB838

Animals-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB834
Animals-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB834

Stamping Psychedelic Animal Nail Designs
Stamping Psychedelic Animal Nail Designs

Merkyri.nails

Retro Stripes with Animals
Retro Stripes with Animals

Daimondhand

Matte and Colorful Animal Nail Designs
Matte and Colorful Animal Nail Designs

Daimondhand

Mismatched Animal Nails
Mismatched Animal Nails

Daimondhand

Cute Animals on Matte Nails
Cute Animals on Matte Nails

Mur.nails.ekaterina

Long Coffin Nails and Reindeer Accent | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6837
Long Coffin Nails and Reindeer Accent | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6837

Christmas Theme Nails with Baby Reindeer | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6836
Christmas Theme Nails with Baby Reindeer | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6836

Reindeer Design for Short Pink Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6835
Reindeer Design for Short Pink Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6835

Glitter Design for White Reindeer Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6834
Glitter Design for White Reindeer Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6834

Pink Nails with Silhouette Reindeer | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6833
Pink Nails with Silhouette Reindeer | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6833

Embellished Nails with Cute Baby Reindeer | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6832
Embellished Nails with Cute Baby Reindeer | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6832

Reindeer Head Design for Pink Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6831
Reindeer Head Design for Pink Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6831

Red Glitter Reindeer Nails Design | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6830
Red Glitter Reindeer Nails Design | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6830

Cute Reindeer for Pink Nails Design | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6829
Cute Reindeer for Pink Nails Design | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6829

Short Matte Nails Design with Reindeer Head | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6828
Short Matte Nails Design with Reindeer Head | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6828

Reindeer Christmas Nails with Red Glitter Design | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6827
Reindeer Christmas Nails with Red Glitter Design | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6827

Silhouette Reindeer for Long Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6826
Silhouette Reindeer for Long Nails | Christmas Reindeer Nails - NB6826

Cat in Snow Nails Design | Winter 2025 Nails - NB6624
Cat in Snow Nails Design | Winter 2025 Nails - NB6624

White Bunny Girl Nail Design | Arina
White Bunny Girl Nail Design | Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6462

White Bunny Boy Nail Design | Arina
White Bunny Boy Nail Design | Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6460

Peaceful Rainy Day Nails Design| Arina
Peaceful Rainy Day Nails Design| Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6459

Nails with Cat Paw Print | Arina
Nails with Cat Paw Print | Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6458

Beach French Manicre Design | Arina
Beach French Manicre Design | Arina's Unique Nail Story - NB6456

Cat-tastic Nails Design for Summer | Arina’s Unique Nail Story - NB6453
Cat-tastic Nails Design for Summer | Arina’s Unique Nail Story - NB6453

Black Cat on Fire Ombre Nails | Halloween Cat Nails - NB5909
Black Cat on Fire Ombre Nails | Halloween Cat Nails - NB5909

Halloween Pink Nails with Black Cats | Halloween Cat Nails - NB5876
Halloween Pink Nails with Black Cats | Halloween Cat Nails - NB5876

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

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

Nails with Frightening Black Cat Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5785
Nails with Frightening Black Cat Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5785

Halloween Black Cat and Witch Hat on Nails | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5784
Halloween Black Cat and Witch Hat on Nails | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5784

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

Halloween Black Cat Matte Nails Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5782
Halloween Black Cat Matte Nails Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5782

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

Gray Nails with Halloween Black Cat Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5780
Gray Nails with Halloween Black Cat Design | Halloween Black Cat Nails - NB5780

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

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

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

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

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.
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