Minecraft Mob Guide: Behavior, Spawning, Drops & More
Discover everything about Minecraft mobs, from passive animals to dangerous bosses. Learn where to find them, what they drop, and how to deal with them.
New in Mounts of Mayhem (coming soon)
- Zombie Horse — Undead horse variant entering Survival; typically appears with hostile riders; seen in Savanna and Plains; dislikes sunlight.
- Nautilus — Tame with pufferfish, saddleable underwater mount with Breath of the Nautilus effect; can wear armor; aquatic only.
- Zombie Nautilus — Fast underwater neutral mob, reportedly favored by drowned.
Minecraft mob spawning basics
- Hostile mobs in the Overworld require complete darkness (light level 0) to spawn.
- Most mobs need suitable blocks, space, and biome/structure conditions to spawn.
- Peaceful difficulty disables hostile mob spawns; higher difficulties increase danger and damage.
- Many mobs have time-based conditions (e.g., nighttime) or structure requirements (e.g., ocean monuments, fortresses).
Mob types at a glance
Passive mobs never attack, neutral mobs attack when provoked, hostile mobs attack on sight, and bosses are late-game enemies with unique mechanics. Compound and unused entries are special cases.
Behavior:
Wanders aimlessly. Can be bred with wheat.
Spawn Conditions:
- Grass blocks
- Light level 9+
What does a Cow drop:
- Leather
- Raw Beef
- Milk (when used with bucket)
What Biomes does a Cow Spawn in:
Plains, Forest, Mountains, Meadows, Sunflower Plains
Behavior:
Wanders aimlessly. Can be bred with carrots, potatoes, or beetroot.
Spawn Conditions:
- Grass blocks
- Light level 9+
What does a Pig drop:
- Raw Porkchop
What Biomes does a Pig Spawn in:
Plains, Forest, Meadows, Sunflower Plains
Behavior:
Wanders aimlessly. Can be sheared for wool. Can be bred with wheat.
Spawn Conditions:
- Grass blocks
- Light level 9+
What does a Sheep drop:
- Raw Mutton
- Wool
What Biomes does a Sheep Spawn in:
Plains, Forest, Mountains, Meadows, Sunflower Plains
Behavior:
Wanders aimlessly. Lays eggs periodically. Can be bred with seeds.
Spawn Conditions:
- Grass blocks
- Light level 9+
What does a Chicken drop:
- Raw Chicken
- Feathers
- Eggs (periodically)
What Biomes does a Chicken Spawn in:
Plains, Forest, Meadows, Jungle
Behavior:
Hops around. Can be bred with carrots, golden carrots, or dandelions.
Spawn Conditions:
- Grass blocks
- Desert
- Snow
What does a Rabbit drop:
- Raw Rabbit
- Rabbit Hide
- Rabbit's Foot (rare)
What Biomes does a Rabbit Spawn in:
Plains, Forest, Desert, Snow, Flower Forest, Taiga
Behavior:
Variant of cow. Can be milked for mushroom stew. Shearing drops mushrooms and turns into a normal cow.
Spawn Conditions:
- Mycelium blocks in Mushroom Fields
What does a Mooshroom drop:
- Leather
- Raw Beef
- Mushrooms
What Biomes does a Mooshroom Spawn in:
Mushroom Fields
Behavior:
Flies around in caves. Sleeps during the day.
Spawn Conditions:
- Dark areas
- Caves
- Light level 0-3
What does a Bat drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Bat Spawn in:
All overworld biomes (underground)
Behavior:
Swims in water. Releases ink when attacked.
Spawn Conditions:
- Water bodies
- Light level 0-7
What does a Squid drop:
- Ink Sac
What Biomes does a Squid Spawn in:
Ocean, River, Swamp
Behavior:
Similar to regular squid, but emits light. Hypnotizes nearby entities when attacked.
Spawn Conditions:
- Deep ocean
- Underground water
- Light level 0
What does a Glow Squid drop:
- Glow Ink Sac
What Biomes does a Glow Squid Spawn in:
Deep Ocean, Underground water bodies, Lush Caves, Dripstone Caves
Behavior:
Swims in water. Flees from players and predators.
Spawn Conditions:
- Ocean
- Light level 0-15
What does a Cod drop:
- Raw Cod
- Bone Meal
What Biomes does a Cod Spawn in:
Ocean, Cold Ocean, Lukewarm Ocean
Behavior:
Swims in water. Flees from players and predators.
Spawn Conditions:
- Cold ocean
- River
- Light level 0-15
What does a Salmon drop:
- Raw Salmon
- Bone Meal
What Biomes does a Salmon Spawn in:
Cold Ocean, Frozen Ocean, River
Behavior:
Swims in water. Many color variations.
Spawn Conditions:
- Warm ocean
- Light level 0-15
What does a Tropical Fish drop:
- Tropical Fish
What Biomes does a Tropical Fish Spawn in:
Warm Ocean, Lukewarm Ocean, Mangrove Swamp
Behavior:
Inflates when approached, damaging nearby entities.
Spawn Conditions:
- Warm ocean
- Light level 0-15
What does a Pufferfish drop:
- Pufferfish
What Biomes does a Pufferfish Spawn in:
Warm Ocean, Lukewarm Ocean
Behavior:
Lays eggs on sand. Swims in water and walks on land.
Spawn Conditions:
- Beach
- Light level 9+
What does a Turtle drop:
- Seagrass
- Bowl
- Scute (when baby grows up)
What Biomes does a Turtle Spawn in:
Beach, Warm Ocean
Behavior:
Attacks most aquatic mobs. Can play dead to regenerate health.
Spawn Conditions:
- Underground water in lush caves
- Clay blocks
What does a Axolotl drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Axolotl Spawn in:
Lush Caves
Behavior:
Walks on lava. Can be ridden with a saddle and controlled with Warped Fungus on a Stick.
Spawn Conditions:
- Lava oceans in the Nether
What does a Strider drop:
- String
What Biomes does a Strider Spawn in:
Nether Wastes, Crimson Forest, Basalt Deltas, Soul Sand Valley
Behavior:
Can be tamed and ridden. Jump height and speed vary.
Spawn Conditions:
- Plains
- Savanna
- Light level 9+
What does a Horse drop:
- Leather
- Hide
What Biomes does a Horse Spawn in:
Plains, Savanna, Meadows, Sunflower Plains
Behavior:
Can be tamed and ridden. Can carry chests.
Spawn Conditions:
- Plains
- Savanna
- Light level 9+
What does a Donkey drop:
- Leather
- Hide
What Biomes does a Donkey Spawn in:
Plains, Savanna, Meadows
Behavior:
Can be tamed and ridden. Can carry chests. Cannot be bred.
Spawn Conditions:
- Plains
- Savanna
- Light level 9+
- Breed horse and donkey
What does a Mule drop:
- Leather
- Hide
What Biomes does a Mule Spawn in:
Plains, Savanna
Behavior:
Fast and agile. Can be tempted with raw fish but not tamed.
Spawn Conditions:
- Jungle
- Light level 9+
What does a Ocelot drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Ocelot Spawn in:
Jungle, Sparse Jungle, Bamboo Jungle
Behavior:
Can sit on player's shoulder. Imitates nearby mob sounds.
Spawn Conditions:
- Jungle
- Light level 9+
What does a Parrot drop:
- Feather
What Biomes does a Parrot Spawn in:
Jungle, Sparse Jungle, Bamboo Jungle
Behavior:
Can be tamed with fish. Scares away phantoms and creepers.
Spawn Conditions:
- Villages
- Swamp huts
- Light level 9+
What does a Cat drop:
- String
What Biomes does a Cat Spawn in:
Plains, Taiga, Desert, Savanna, Swamp (witch huts)
Behavior:
Inhabits villages. Trades with players. Can have various professions.
Spawn Conditions:
- Villages
- Light level 9+
What does a Villager drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Villager Spawn in:
Plains, Desert, Savanna, Taiga, Snowy Taiga
Behavior:
Throws snowballs at hostile mobs. Leaves snow trail.
Spawn Conditions:
- Created by players
What does a Snow Golem drop:
- Snowballs
- Pumpkin (if sheared)
What Biomes does a Snow Golem Spawn in:
Player-created in any snowy biome
Behavior:
Hops around. Eats small slimes and magma cubes.
Spawn Conditions:
- Swamp
- Mangrove Swamp
- Light level 9+
What does a Frog drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Frog Spawn in:
Swamp, Mangrove Swamp
Behavior:
Collects items similar to the one given to it. Loves music.
Spawn Conditions:
- Pillager Outposts
- Woodland Mansions
- Ancient Cities
What does a Allay drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Allay Spawn in:
Found in structures in various biomes
Behavior:
Young form of frogs. Grows into a frog over time.
Spawn Conditions:
- Water in swamps
- From frog eggs
What does a Tadpole drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Tadpole Spawn in:
Swamp, Mangrove Swamp
Behavior:
Technically passive, but commonly appears with hostile riders. New Survival mob introduced with Mounts of Mayhem.
Spawn Conditions:
- Savanna and Plains biomes
- Often spawns with hostile riders
- Avoids sunlight (zombie variants don’t like the sun)
What does a Zombie Horse drop:
- TBD (in testing/snapshots)
What Biomes does a Zombie Horse Spawn in:
Savanna, Plains
Behavior:
Tame with pufferfish, can be saddled and ridden underwater. Grants Breath of the Nautilus (stops air depletion while riding). Can be equipped with armor (copper, iron, gold, diamond, Netherite). Cannot survive on land.
Spawn Conditions:
- Oceans
- Warm/Lukewarm Oceans
What does a Nautilus drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Nautilus Spawn in:
Ocean, Warm Ocean, Lukewarm Ocean
Behavior:
Collects pollen, pollinates crops, produces honey. Becomes hostile when attacked or hive is destroyed.
Spawn Conditions:
- Flower Forests
- Plains with flowers
- Light level 9+
- Near bee nests/hives
What does a Bee drop:
- Honeycomb (when killed with no nearby hives)
What Biomes does a Bee Spawn in:
Plains, Flower Forest, Sunflower Plains, Meadows
Behavior:
Fast underwater neutral mob; favored mount of drowned. Introduced with Mounts of Mayhem.
Spawn Conditions:
- Oceans
- Often associated with drowned
What does a Zombie Nautilus drop:
- TBD (in testing/snapshots)
What Biomes does a Zombie Nautilus Spawn in:
Ocean, Warm Ocean, Lukewarm Ocean
Behavior:
Smaller than regular spiders. Inflicts poison on attack. Hostile in light levels 11 or lower.
Spawn Conditions:
- Underground
- Mineshafts
- Light level 0-11
What does a Cave Spider drop:
- String
- Spider Eye
What Biomes does a Cave Spider Spawn in:
Underground in all biomes, Mineshafts
Behavior:
Swims in groups. Leads players to underwater structures. Becomes hostile if attacked.
Spawn Conditions:
- Ocean
- Light level 0-15
What does a Dolphin drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Dolphin Spawn in:
Ocean, Lukewarm Ocean, Warm Ocean, Deep Ocean
Behavior:
Underwater zombies. Can throw tridents if equipped.
Spawn Conditions:
- Ocean
- Rivers
- Light level 0
- From zombies underwater
What does a Drowned drop:
- Rotten Flesh
- Gold Ingot (rare)
- Trident (rare)
What Biomes does a Drowned Spawn in:
Ocean, River, Swamp, Dripstone Caves (underwater)
Behavior:
Teleports randomly. Becomes hostile when looked at directly.
Spawn Conditions:
- The End
- Overworld (low light)
- Nether (Warped Forest)
- Light level 0-7
What does a Enderman drop:
- Ender Pearl
What Biomes does a Enderman Spawn in:
The End, End Islands, Overworld (various), Nether (Warped Forest)
Behavior:
Nocturnal. Attacks chickens, rabbits, and fish. Can pick up items.
Spawn Conditions:
- Taiga
- Snowy Taiga
- Light level 9+
What does a Fox drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Fox Spawn in:
Taiga, Snowy Taiga, Grove, Old Growth Taiga
Behavior:
Jumps high. Can ram entities off cliffs. Screams occasionally.
Spawn Conditions:
- Mountains
- Meadows
- Light level 9+
What does a Goat drop:
- Milk (when used with bucket)
- Goat Horn (when rammed into a hard block)
What Biomes does a Goat Spawn in:
Mountains, Meadows, Frozen Peaks, Jagged Peaks, Stony Peaks
Behavior:
Protects villagers. Attacks hostile mobs.
Spawn Conditions:
- Villages
- Created by players
What does a Iron Golem drop:
- Iron Ingots
- Poppies
What Biomes does a Iron Golem Spawn in:
Villages in various biomes
Behavior:
Can be ridden but not controlled. Spits at attackers.
Spawn Conditions:
- Savanna
- Mountains
- Light level 9+
What does a Llama drop:
- Leather
What Biomes does a Llama Spawn in:
Savanna, Mountains, Meadows, Windswept Hills
Behavior:
Passive unless attacked. Different personalities based on genes.
Spawn Conditions:
- Jungle
- Bamboo Jungle
- Light level 9+
What does a Panda drop:
- Bamboo
What Biomes does a Panda Spawn in:
Jungle, Bamboo Jungle
Behavior:
Hostile unless player wears gold armor. Barters for gold ingots.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether
- Light level 11+
What does a Piglin drop:
- Gold Ingot
- Crossbow (rare)
What Biomes does a Piglin Spawn in:
Nether Wastes, Crimson Forest
Behavior:
Passive unless attacked or cubs are nearby.
Spawn Conditions:
- Snowy biomes
- Ice Plains
- Light level 9+
What does a Polar Bear drop:
- Raw Cod
- Raw Salmon
What Biomes does a Polar Bear Spawn in:
Snowy Tundra, Snowy Taiga, Frozen Ocean, Ice Spikes
Behavior:
Hostile at night or in dark areas. Can climb walls.
Spawn Conditions:
- Overworld, Light level 0-7
What does a Spider drop:
- String
- Spider Eye
What Biomes does a Spider Spawn in:
All overworld biomes
Behavior:
Follows Wandering Trader. Spits at attackers.
Spawn Conditions:
- Spawns with Wandering Trader
What does a Trader Llama drop:
- Leather
What Biomes does a Trader Llama Spawn in:
Spawns with Wandering Trader in various biomes
Behavior:
Can be tamed with bones. Attacks skeletons and other mobs that attack their owner.
Spawn Conditions:
- Forests
- Taiga
- Light level 9+
What does a Wolf drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Wolf Spawn in:
Forest, Taiga, Grove, Old Growth Taiga, Snowy Taiga
Behavior:
Neutral unless attacked. Attacks in groups when provoked.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether
- Nether portals in Overworld
- Light level 0-11
What does a Zombified Piglin drop:
- Rotten Flesh
- Gold Nugget
- Gold Ingot (rare)
What Biomes does a Zombified Piglin Spawn in:
Nether (all biomes)
Behavior:
Flies and shoots fireballs. Immune to fire damage.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether Fortresses
- Light level 0-11
What does a Blaze drop:
- Blaze Rod
What Biomes does a Blaze Spawn in:
Nether Fortress
Behavior:
Approaches silently and explodes near players.
Spawn Conditions:
- Overworld, Light level 0-7
What does a Creeper drop:
- Gunpowder
- Music Disc (when killed by skeleton)
What Biomes does a Creeper Spawn in:
All overworld biomes
Behavior:
Inflicts Mining Fatigue. Shoots laser beam at players.
Spawn Conditions:
- Ocean Monuments
What does a Elder Guardian drop:
- Prismarine Crystals
- Prismarine Shards
- Raw Cod
- Wet Sponge
What Biomes does a Elder Guardian Spawn in:
Ocean (in monuments)
Behavior:
Small, silverfish-like mob. Attacked by Endermen.
Spawn Conditions:
- Spawns when Ender Pearl is thrown (5% chance)
What does a Endermite drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Endermite Spawn in:
Any, when Ender Pearl is used
Behavior:
Casts spells, summons Vexes, creates damaging "fangs" from the ground.
Spawn Conditions:
- Woodland Mansions
- Raids
What does a Evoker drop:
- Totem of Undying
- Emerald
What Biomes does a Evoker Spawn in:
Dark Forest (mansions), Villages (raids)
Behavior:
Large floating mob that shoots explosive fireballs.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether
- Light level 0-11
What does a Ghast drop:
- Ghast Tear
- Gunpowder
What Biomes does a Ghast Spawn in:
Nether Wastes, Soul Sand Valley, Basalt Deltas
Behavior:
Shoots laser beam at players. Spikes hurt melee attackers.
Spawn Conditions:
- Ocean Monuments
What does a Guardian drop:
- Prismarine Crystals
- Prismarine Shards
- Raw Cod
What Biomes does a Guardian Spawn in:
Ocean (in monuments)
Behavior:
Aggressive boar-like mob. Fears Warped Fungus.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether
- Light level 0-11
What does a Hoglin drop:
- Raw Porkchop
- Leather
What Biomes does a Hoglin Spawn in:
Crimson Forest
Behavior:
Desert variant of zombie. Inflicts hunger effect.
Spawn Conditions:
- Desert, Light level 0-7
What does a Husk drop:
- Rotten Flesh
- Iron Ingot (rare)
- Carrot (rare)
- Potato (rare)
What Biomes does a Husk Spawn in:
Desert
Behavior:
Nether variant of Slime. Splits into smaller cubes when killed.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether
- Light level 0-11
What does a Magma Cube drop:
- Magma Cream
What Biomes does a Magma Cube Spawn in:
Nether Wastes, Basalt Deltas, Soul Sand Valley
Behavior:
Flies and swoops down to attack players. Burns in daylight.
Spawn Conditions:
- Spawns after player hasn't slept for 3+ days
- Night time
What does a Phantom drop:
- Phantom Membrane
What Biomes does a Phantom Spawn in:
Overworld sky (all biomes)
Behavior:
Aggressive variant of Piglin. Always hostile to players.
Spawn Conditions:
- Bastion Remnants
What does a Piglin Brute drop:
- Golden Axe
What Biomes does a Piglin Brute Spawn in:
Bastion Remnants (all Nether biomes)
Behavior:
Attacks with a crossbow. Participates in raids.
Spawn Conditions:
- Pillager Outposts
- Raids
- Light level 0-7
What does a Pillager drop:
- Crossbow
- Arrow
What Biomes does a Pillager Spawn in:
Various overworld biomes, Pillager Outposts
Behavior:
Large, powerful mob that participates in raids. Can break leaves and crops.
Spawn Conditions:
- Raids
What does a Ravager drop:
- Saddle
What Biomes does a Ravager Spawn in:
Various overworld biomes during raids
Behavior:
Hides in its shell and shoots levitation projectiles.
Spawn Conditions:
- End Cities
What does a Shulker drop:
- Shulker Shell
What Biomes does a Shulker Spawn in:
The End (End Cities)
Behavior:
Hides in certain stone blocks. Can call nearby silverfish when attacked.
Spawn Conditions:
- Strongholds
- Infested Blocks
- Light level 0-11
What does a Silverfish drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Silverfish Spawn in:
Underground in all biomes, Strongholds, Mountains
Behavior:
Shoots arrows at players. Burns in sunlight.
Spawn Conditions:
- Overworld, Light level 0-7
What does a Skeleton drop:
- Bones
- Arrows
- Bow (rare)
What Biomes does a Skeleton Spawn in:
All overworld biomes
Behavior:
Splits into smaller slimes when killed. Bounces towards players.
Spawn Conditions:
- Swamps
- Certain chunks in other biomes
- Light level 0-7
What does a Slime drop:
- Slimeball
What Biomes does a Slime Spawn in:
Swamp, Certain chunks in other biomes, Slime chunks
Behavior:
Variant of skeleton that shoots slowness arrows. Burns in sunlight.
Spawn Conditions:
- Snowy biomes, Light level 0-7
What does a Stray drop:
- Bones
- Arrows
- Bow (rare)
- Tipped Arrow of Slowness
What Biomes does a Stray Spawn in:
Snowy Tundra, Snowy Taiga, Frozen Ocean, Ice Spikes
Behavior:
Small flying mob that can pass through blocks. Summoned by Evokers.
Spawn Conditions:
- Summoned by Evokers
What does a Vex drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Vex Spawn in:
Wherever Evokers are found
Behavior:
Attacks with an axe. Participates in raids.
Spawn Conditions:
- Woodland Mansions
- Raids
- Light level 0-7
What does a Vindicator drop:
- Emerald
- Iron Axe
What Biomes does a Vindicator Spawn in:
Dark Forest (mansions), Villages (raids)
Behavior:
Blind mob that responds to vibrations and smell. Extremely powerful.
Spawn Conditions:
- Deep Dark biome when disturbed
- After too many sculk sensor activations
What does a Warden drop:
- Sculk Catalyst
What Biomes does a Warden Spawn in:
Deep Dark
Behavior:
Throws harmful potions at players and drinks beneficial potions.
Spawn Conditions:
- Overworld, Light level 0-7
- Swamp Huts
What does a Witch drop:
- Glowstone Dust
- Redstone
- Gunpowder
- Spider Eye
- Glass Bottle
- Stick
What Biomes does a Witch Spawn in:
All overworld biomes, Swamps (in witch huts)
Behavior:
Tall, black skeletons that inflict the Wither effect.
Spawn Conditions:
- Nether Fortresses
- Light level 0-11
What does a Wither Skeleton drop:
- Coal
- Bone
- Wither Skeleton Skull (rare)
- Stone Sword (rare)
What Biomes does a Wither Skeleton Spawn in:
Nether Fortress
Behavior:
Hostile mob created when a Hoglin enters the Overworld.
Spawn Conditions:
- When Hoglins enter the Overworld
What does a Zoglin drop:
- Rotten Flesh
What Biomes does a Zoglin Spawn in:
Overworld (transformed Hoglins)
Behavior:
Chases and attacks players and villagers. Burns in sunlight.
Spawn Conditions:
- Overworld, Light level 0-7
What does a Zombie drop:
- Rotten Flesh
- Iron Ingot (rare)
- Carrot (rare)
- Potato (rare)
What Biomes does a Zombie Spawn in:
All overworld biomes
Behavior:
Behaves like regular zombies. Can be cured back into villagers.
Spawn Conditions:
- Overworld, Light level 0-7
- When villagers are killed by zombies (chance)
What does a Zombie Villager drop:
- Rotten Flesh
- Iron Ingot (rare)
- Carrot (rare)
- Potato (rare)
What Biomes does a Zombie Villager Spawn in:
All overworld biomes, Villages
Behavior:
Flies around the End, shoots fireballs, and destroys blocks.
Spawn Conditions:
- The End
- Can be respawned with End Crystals
What does a Ender Dragon drop:
- Dragon Egg (first kill only)
- Experience
What Biomes does a Ender Dragon Spawn in:
The End
Behavior:
Flies and shoots explosive wither skulls. Destroys blocks and inflicts wither effect.
Spawn Conditions:
- Spawned by players using soul sand/soil and wither skeleton skulls
What does a Wither drop:
- Nether Star
What Biomes does a Wither Spawn in:
Any biome where players summon it
Behavior:
Baby zombie riding a chicken. Moves faster than regular zombies.
Spawn Conditions:
- Rare chance when chicken or baby zombie spawns
- Light level 0-7
What does a Chicken Jockey drop:
- Drops from both chicken and baby zombie
What Biomes does a Chicken Jockey Spawn in:
All overworld biomes
Behavior:
Skeleton riding a spider. Can climb walls and shoot arrows.
Spawn Conditions:
- Rare chance when spider spawns
- Light level 0-7
What does a Spider Jockey drop:
- Drops from both spider and skeleton
What Biomes does a Spider Jockey Spawn in:
All overworld biomes
Behavior:
Large zombie with no AI. Does not move or attack naturally.
Spawn Conditions:
- Can only be spawned with commands
What does a Giant drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Giant Spawn in:
None (command-spawned only)
Behavior:
Uses illusions and bow attacks. Not used in regular gameplay.
Spawn Conditions:
- Can only be spawned with commands
What does a Illusioner drop:
- None
What Biomes does a Illusioner Spawn in:
None (command-spawned only)