My iguana has scratched his nails down to nubs...literally. All 10 of his toe nails are gone and are nubs. At first I couldn't figure it out, but after observing him for awhile I noticed that he was in the bottom if his "house" and was desperately trying to get out. He has even got to the point that he has pushed so hard on the bars that the area above his snout has been bruised before.

Nothing is new for him
He is approximately 1 and 1/2 yrs. old
He is out in the sun all day (shade provided)

I've noticed a difference in his behavior and his shedding patterns. I'm assuming this has something to do with his mating age........

My question is, has anyone else experienced this and will his nails grow back?

Thanks so much

It depends on how far back the damage to the nail bed is. They may grow back or they may not and if they do they may grow distorted.
My female, in her first gravid season, did this while I was gone one evening. She was scratching at the walls, trying to get out of the enclosure to go looking for a nest site. The entire bottom of the cage was smeared in blood. The nails did ultimately return but a couple of them are mishapen.
Be sure and keep the cage extremely clean and put a dab of neosporin ointment on the tips of the toes.

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

I think merlin pretty much has it covered.

If he continues to damage his snout you might try putting something around he bottom of the cage over the bars so he doesn't see out and hopefully loses interest in forcing his way out.

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~*~Lacey~*~

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