In the expansive world of Minecraft, players encounter a variety of creatures—some friendly, some hostile. While most creatures can be tamed and trained to become loyal companions, others can’t be domesticated. Foxes, one of the more endearing animals in the game, fall into the category of “tamable” animals, but with a few unique steps. If you’re wondering whether you can tame a fox in Minecraft, the answer is yes! However, taming a fox is different from taming other animals like wolves or cats. This guide will take you through everything you need to know about taming a fox, including how to find one, how to tame it, and how to use it for your benefit.
Understanding Foxes in Minecraft
Foxes were introduced in Minecraft in the 1.14 update, also known as the “Village & Pillage” update. They are neutral mobs that can be found in certain biomes, particularly in taiga, snowy taiga, and forest biomes. Foxes in Minecraft have a distinct appearance, with a bushy tail and various fur color variations ranging from orange to white, black, and even the rare “blue” foxes.
In the wild, foxes are typically skittish and will flee from players if approached too closely. However, when tamed, foxes can be your loyal companions, offering benefits that can help you survive and thrive in the game.
Finding a Fox in Minecraft
Before you can tame a fox, you need to find one. Foxes generally spawn in taiga and snowy taiga biomes, although they can also be found in forest biomes under specific conditions. These creatures spawn in groups of 1 to 2, and they typically appear during the night.
Foxes in Minecraft are passive mobs unless provoked, and they will run away from players if you get too close. To successfully tame a fox, you’ll need to sneak up on it or use a method that involves feeding it certain items.
Steps to Tame a Fox in Minecraft
Taming a fox in Minecraft is a bit more involved than simply using a bone or fish. To tame a fox, follow these steps:
1. Breed Two Foxes
Foxes cannot be tamed by simply feeding them a specific item. The first step in taming a fox is to breed two wild foxes. To do this, you’ll need to find two adult foxes in the wild.
- Step 1: Locate two adult foxes.
- Step 2: Have some sweet berries in your inventory. Sweet berries can be found in taiga biomes, where you’ll find foxes as well.
- Step 3: Feed each of the adult foxes sweet berries. After a few moments, the foxes will enter “love mode,” and if they are close enough to each other, they will mate. This will result in a baby fox.
2. Collect the Baby Fox
Once the baby fox is born, you can then start taming it. However, keep in mind that the baby fox will still be wild and skittish, so you’ll need to be careful when approaching it.
3. Sneak to Approach the Fox
The key to taming a fox is patience. Unlike many other mobs in Minecraft, foxes won’t let you approach them directly. They are skittish creatures that will run away from you if you move too quickly.
- Step 1: To tame the fox, you need to sneak. To do this, hold down the crouch button (shift on PC) as you approach the baby fox.
- Step 2: Slowly walk up to the baby fox while sneaking. The baby fox will eventually trust you and won’t run away if you approach slowly.
4. Feed the Baby Fox Sweet Berries
Now that you have approached the fox, feed it sweet berries to tame it. You’ll need to do this multiple times—each time the baby fox eats, it will gradually grow up, and eventually, it will become tamed.
As you continue feeding the baby fox sweet berries, its trust in you will grow. It may take several berries to fully tame it. The baby fox doesn’t have a set number of berries that need to be fed before it’s tamed, but on average, you’ll need to feed it at least 5 to 10 berries.
5. Confirm the Tame
Once the baby fox has been fully tamed, it will begin following you around. At this point, it can be considered a pet, but it’s important to note that tamed foxes are a bit different from other tamed mobs like wolves or cats. Tamed foxes in Minecraft will still exhibit some of their natural behaviors, including their preference for nighttime activities and their tendency to pick up and carry items.
What Can You Do with a Tamed Fox?
While a tamed fox is not as interactive as some other pets in Minecraft, it can still be quite useful. Here are a few things you can do with your newly tamed fox:
1. The Fox Will Follow You
Once tamed, a fox will follow you around. Unlike wolves, foxes will not sit, and they won’t stay still. They will wander behind you, much like a stray animal. However, if you want to ensure that the fox stays close to you, you can leash it with a lead.
2. The Fox Can Carry Items
A unique feature of foxes is their ability to pick up items. Foxes are known for picking up food, tools, and other objects that are lying on the ground. If a tamed fox picks up an item, it will carry that item in its mouth. This can be helpful if you need to transport an item across a distance.
3. Foxes Can Be Used in Breeding
If you already have a tamed fox, you can breed it with another tamed fox by feeding both foxes sweet berries. This will result in a baby fox, which you can raise and tame as described earlier. You can breed foxes as much as you want as long as you have sweet berries to feed them.
4. Foxes Can Help Defend Your Base
While foxes are not as strong as wolves, they can be useful for defense. Foxes will occasionally attack smaller mobs, such as rabbits or chickens, when they are in close proximity. This makes them somewhat effective in keeping smaller hostile mobs away from your base.
5. Foxes Can Be Named
Just like other tamed animals in Minecraft, you can give your fox a name by using a name tag. Simply right-click on the fox with a name tag in your hand to give it a unique name. This adds a personal touch and can make your fox feel more like a true companion.
Things to Consider When Taming a Fox
While taming a fox can be a rewarding experience, there are a few things to keep in mind:
- Foxes are Not Ideal for Combat: While foxes can attack small mobs, they are not as strong as wolves, so they should not be relied on for protection in combat-heavy situations. They may also run away from hostile mobs.
- Foxes Prefer the Night: Foxes are nocturnal creatures in Minecraft. They will be more active at night and may fall asleep during the day. This can affect their behavior, especially if you’re trying to get them to follow you.
- Foxes are Vulnerable to Fire: Like many other mobs, foxes are vulnerable to fire and lava. Be cautious when building near these hazards to prevent your fox from taking damage or dying.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while taming a fox in Minecraft requires patience and a bit of effort, it’s entirely possible. By breeding two wild foxes, sneaking up on them, and feeding them sweet berries, you can successfully tame a fox and have it follow you around as a companion. While tamed foxes may not be as powerful as wolves, they have unique traits, such as carrying items and occasionally attacking smaller mobs, which can be useful for players in certain situations. With these insights, you’ll be ready to tame a fox and make it a part of your Minecraft adventure!
