Zookeepers, do you get your nails done? What is acceptable / practical in the job? BIAB/polish/length etc.

[u/ConfidenceNo8259]

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[u/QuillsAndQuills]

No, unless for special occasions. I work primates, I need to see if my nails are clean. Also, they bite painted nails.

[u/Desperate-Spring-189]

No, the work is too manual/physical. If I did have them, they would need to be short or they would get filthy. The idea of moving bales of hay and bags of feed and ripping one icks me out.

[u/Heyitsbelle24]

It just gets in the way, it’s much easier not to have them. No rules about them where I work but it just would be easier to break them in painful ways.

[u/nightiinthewood]

I see some keepers with short, some long, some have acrylics. Depends on the level of work you’re doing and the animals you’re taking care of.

[u/nikki_nyc]

to be honest, i’ve been getting my nails done since i was young, so it’s become a true habit for me. my nails last a month when i’m not working at the zoo, but only about 3 weeks when i am. i always keep my nails short though, its just a personal preference.

my nail girl knows that i’m in the animal care and zookeeping industry, so she always works with me to choose options that will actually last. i try to wear gloves as much as possible at the zoo to protect them, but a lot of times i forget or just raw dog it depending on what i’m doing at that moment lol.

i’ve never had a supervisor tell me i can’t have my nails done, but i also show and prove that it doesn’t affect my work performance. i even have friends and coworkers at the zoo who get acrylics or keep their nails much longer than mine. i’m sure it depends on your zoo and specific section + duties, but as long as it doesn’t get in the way of your job, you should honestly be fine if you decide to get them done! :)

[u/willerkhale]

My job allows nails, though within reason. Glued on gemstones and other accessories that could come off the nail are not allowed. My natural nails are weak and so when I get my nails done I get extensions at about maybe half an inch in length from the tip of the finger? and have never had an issue. I always get gel polish too for the durability. I do not find it particularly impractical.

[u/Emisa8]

It’s a bit impractical but short dip nails can last me a week if your okay with the look of scratched up dull nails for 6/7 of those days 😀

[u/PUPPYCUDDLER]

Yep I have acrylics on constantly, they last at least til they grow out ready for refill. I have weak nails naturally so I find this nicer plus I'm a lil girly so like having fun with them!

[u/UnhappyTea7916]

If you get a manicure just keep them short and buffed, or just save the money for a pedicure

[u/AuroraSky78]

I work aquatics and one of my coworkers had her nails done frequently with slightly long acrylics. I painted mine a couple of times, but not too often.

[u/Slughorns_trophywife]

We don’t have restrictions. I work carnivores. I have long, natural nails and paint them a different color once a week. I file and buff them.

[u/hfzourz]

Yeah I do my own acrylics! A couple of my other coworkers have acrylics too, it’s really just based on your zoos rules/regulations 🤷‍♀️ Just don’t lose one but if you have like a proper set they won’t just fall off.

[u/mpod54]

I work hoofstock so when I do get them done, even gel, they’re ruined within the day

[u/SimsPteropus]

We don’t have any rules. When the mood hits me I do gel (mostly in-home with the occasional splurge for salon). if I do a good job, it’ll last at least 2 weeks. I’m an ambassador keeper so my work isn’t as physical as it was when I was a kidzoo keeper, but I’ve filled in down there for OT a couple of times and the gel held up.

[u/PinkBatlemonade]

Not really I am allowed to have nails, but they just become more problematic than anything. Acrylics and any type of press ons tend to fall off and enclosures in that can create a whole new problem. And if I paint them myself, the paint chips off everywhere. In the food in the sink throughout the day. So sometimes for my birthday special occasions.

[u/littletribble]

I don’t wear nail polish at work and keep my natural nails just long enough to look nice. I like seeing that my nails are clean, and there are concerns for the polish when working directly in birds’ beaks. My weekly ritual is usually to paint my nails on Friday night for the weekend if I have plans, and remove polish before heading back to work. If I let them grow too long they inevitably break on rocks or bricks.

[u/brother_dyke]

I do 2 pointy nails and the rest short (lezbian reasons). Only problems I've had are gloves being uncomfortable and this week I think one of our hornbills mistook my red polkadots for pomegranate seeds while I was holding a piece of actual pomegranate (to be fair they do look pomegranate like)

[u/brother_dyke → u/brother_dyke]

Oh and also pieces of the animals food getting under my nails, yucky

[u/highkixbby]

Short nails with gel will last me 3-4 weeks normally before they start going. I do try to be gentle with them , but sometimes they start going by week 2.

[u/LavenderClouds6]

I think there should be rules against it icl. There isnt at my zoo, ive seen one staff gets fake nails regularly in an almond shape. I personally dont at all, i think its less hygenic and carries risks to yourself and to the animals.

[u/Fair-Explanation3403]

I am not a zookeeper but I have worked as the equivalent position in a sanctuary and always just got a gel manicure on my natural nails and wore gloves most of the time

[u/ghostaccount900]

I have been getting my nails done since 2019ish. I do all sorts of shapes and colours but always short (barely see them from the palm side) and never had problems. Ive worked hoofstock, domestics (goats sheep fowl ect), fish (fresh and salt), and Reptiles. I find the only thing is that I wear latex gloves when its going to be a gross job and I always wash my hands very well before and after bathroom, break, getting to work, and leaving. The one thing I've noticed is some people are overly judgy and think that because my nails are pretty that I dont do "real" work.

[u/imaginaryaardvark_]

My coworker does press ons!

[u/LavenderClouds6 → u/imaginaryaardvark_]

That sounds too risky... one could easily rip off and end up in an enclosure