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

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

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

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

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

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

Easter Bunny Pedicure Design | Easter Nails - NB3786
Easter Bunny Pedicure Design | Easter Nails - NB3786

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

Maneki-neko Nails | Cultural - NB987
Maneki-neko Nails | Cultural - NB987

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

Jerry on Accent Nail
Jerry on Accent Nail

Olga_soloveva._

Cartoon Theme Graffiti Nails | Graffiti Nails - NB2916
Cartoon Theme Graffiti Nails | Graffiti Nails - NB2916

Easter Bunny Ombre Nails | Easter Nails - NB3384
Easter Bunny Ombre Nails | Easter Nails - NB3384

Aurora Nails with Arctic Hare | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3160
Aurora Nails with Arctic Hare | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3160

Light Blue Nails with a Silver Chrome Dolphin
Light Blue Nails with a Silver Chrome Dolphin

Korelviktoria

Nature-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB817
Nature-inspired Ojibwe Nails | Tribal - NB817

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

French Nails with Penguins on a Snowy Day | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3131
French Nails with Penguins on a Snowy Day | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3131

Easter Flower Nails with a Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3465
Easter Flower Nails with a Bunny | Easter Nails - NB3465

Armadillo Nail Print with Shimmer Design| Desert Nail Design-NB-D-631
Armadillo Nail Print with Shimmer Design| Desert Nail Design-NB-D-631

A Cute Fox Cub Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3148
A Cute Fox Cub Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3148

Mushrooms and Other Creatures of Forest Nails Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB3034
Mushrooms and Other Creatures of Forest Nails Design | Love the Forest Nails - NB3034

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

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

Winnie the Pooh and Stripes Nail Design | Cartoon Nails - NB2886
Winnie the Pooh and Stripes Nail Design | Cartoon Nails - NB2886

Nail Design and Art / Animal Nails
Fox Among Foliage Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3153
Fox Among Foliage Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3153

Glossy French Santa Claus Nails and Gifts | Christmas | Winter - NB1328
Glossy French Santa Claus Nails and Gifts | Christmas | Winter - NB1328

Mickey in the Winter
Mickey in the Winter

Paulina_migdalek

Lilac Butterfly Nails with Silver Glitters
Lilac Butterfly Nails with Silver Glitters

Nailed.it.by.amber

Aurora Effect Nails with White Silhouette Bunny Design | Easter Nails - NB3394
Aurora Effect Nails with White Silhouette Bunny Design | Easter Nails - NB3394

Ombre Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1217
Ombre Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1217

Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nail Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1782
Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nail Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1782

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

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

Outlined French Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1827
Outlined French Peach Fuzz Butterfly Nails | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1827

Peach Fuzz Shimmer Nail Design with Butterflies | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1833
Peach Fuzz Shimmer Nail Design with Butterflies | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1833

Peach Fuzz Butterflies and Flowers Nails | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1816
Peach Fuzz Butterflies and Flowers Nails | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1816

Peach Fuzz Nails with Decorations and Butterflies | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1817
Peach Fuzz Nails with Decorations and Butterflies | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1817

Peach Fuzz Nails with Butterfly Design and Filigree French Art | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1824
Peach Fuzz Nails with Butterfly Design and Filigree French Art | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1824

Ombre Turkey Nails | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1211
Ombre Turkey Nails | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1211

Peach Fuzz French Tips Butterfly Nail Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1809
Peach Fuzz French Tips Butterfly Nail Design | Color of the Year 2024 - NB1809

Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1059
Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1059

Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1036
Turkey Nail Design | Thanksgiving | Holiday- NB1036

Abstract Woman Portrait with Butterflies
Abstract Woman Portrait with Butterflies

Novikova.nailstudio

Winnie the Pooh and Stripes Nail Design | Cartoon Nails - NB2886
Winnie the Pooh and Stripes Nail Design | Cartoon Nails - NB2886

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

Matte Reindeer Nails | Christmas Nails - NB1388
Matte Reindeer Nails | Christmas Nails - NB1388

Tropical Flamingo French Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-136
Tropical Flamingo French Nail Design| Tropical-NB-D-136

Ombre Winnie the Pooh Nails | Cartoon Nails - NB2884
Ombre Winnie the Pooh Nails | Cartoon Nails - NB2884

Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB753
Black Cat Nails | Halloween - NB753

Simple French Manicure With Snake
Simple French Manicure With Snake

Nailartbychlo

Nude Nails with White Outline
Nude Nails with White Outline

Nail_sunny

Turkey Nail Art with Confetti | Bird | Thanksgiving - NB1221
Turkey Nail Art with Confetti | Bird | Thanksgiving - NB1221

Happy Chipmunk and Flowers
Happy Chipmunk and Flowers

Hnnailsbyhoney

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

Half Butterfly Nail Art
Half Butterfly Nail Art

Fasia.nails

Hand-painted Butterflies
Hand-painted Butterflies

Fasia.nails

Flowers and Bunnies Nail Design for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3468
Flowers and Bunnies Nail Design for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3468

Easter Lambs on Dusty Nude Nails | Easter Nails - NB3550
Easter Lambs on Dusty Nude Nails | Easter Nails - NB3550

Nude Nails 3D Design for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3563
Nude Nails 3D Design for Easter | Easter Nails - NB3563

Easter Nails with 3D Lambs | Easter Nails - NB3552
Easter Nails with 3D Lambs | Easter Nails - NB3552

Black and White Climate Crisis Nail Design | Climate Crisis Nails - NB3178
Black and White Climate Crisis Nail Design | Climate Crisis Nails - NB3178

Cute Baby Fox Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3142
Cute Baby Fox Nail Design | Polar Wonders Nails - NB3142

Cute Bunny Nail Design
Cute Bunny Nail Design

Project_paznokcie

Cute Rabbit and Doughnut Nail Design
Cute Rabbit and Doughnut Nail Design

Getman.nails

Matte Top Coat on a Cartoon Nail
Matte Top Coat on a Cartoon Nail

Nails_by_evelyn9

Hand-Painted Birds on Short Nails
Hand-Painted Birds on Short Nails

Mur.nails.ekaterina

Matte Pink Nails for Easter with Lambs and Flowers | Easter Nails - NB3504
Matte Pink Nails for Easter with Lambs and Flowers | Easter Nails - NB3504

Valentine Sweetheart Candy Nail Design | Valentine Nails - NB2298
Valentine Sweetheart Candy Nail Design | Valentine Nails - NB2298

Matte Pink Nails Easter Bunny Design | Easter Nails - NB3408
Matte Pink Nails Easter Bunny Design | Easter Nails - NB3408

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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