Armadillos are one of the new mobs introduced in Minecraft’s 1.20.5 update. Found exclusively in savanna biomes, these small, earthy-toned creatures add personality to the game’s dry, grass-filled landscapes. They’re known for their quirky movements, adorable design, and, most interestingly, their unusual diet.
While armadillos don’t offer immediate utility like wolves or cats, their presence makes the savanna biome more vibrant and engaging. Now, let’s dive into what makes them unique—their diet.
What Do Armadillos Eat in Minecraft?
Surprisingly, armadillos in Minecraft eat spider eyes. Yes, those creepy, crawly items dropped by spiders and cave spiders! This diet choice makes armadillos one of the few mobs that interact with an item often overlooked outside of brewing potions.
How to Feed Armadillos
Feeding an armadillo is straightforward but requires some preparation:
- Collect spider eyes: You can obtain these by defeating spiders, which commonly spawn at night or in dark caves. Be careful, as spiders can be aggressive!
- Locate an armadillo: Head to a savanna biome and search the open grassy areas. Armadillos are passive, so they won’t attack or run away.
- Hold the spider eyes: With the spider eyes in your hand, approach the armadillo slowly. Its behavior will change as it notices the item.
- Feed the armadillo: Right-click (or the equivalent interaction key) to feed the spider eye to the armadillo. This won’t tame the mob, but it’s an enjoyable way to interact with them.
Why Spider Eyes?
This unusual dietary preference might seem odd, but it’s a clever design choice by Mojang. Spider eyes are typically used for brewing potions, but now players have another reason to collect them. This adds a subtle challenge to interacting with armadillos, as spider eyes require venturing into caves or braving nighttime mobs to acquire.
Additionally, real-life armadillos eat bugs, so that may be why they decided to give in-game armadillos a diet derived from spiders.
Where to Find Armadillos
Armadillos can be found wandering the savanna biome, a dry and open environment filled with tall grass and acacia trees. These biomes are already known for their unique landscape, and armadillos only add to their charm.
When searching for armadillos:
- Focus on areas with plenty of tall grass.
- They tend to blend in with their surroundings due to their earthy tones, so stay observant!
Why Armadillos Matter in Minecraft
While armadillos don’t have a direct gameplay function yet, they’re an important part of Minecraft’s ecosystem for several reasons:
- Savanna Biome Enrichment: Armadillos bring more life to savanna biomes, encouraging exploration.
- Future Gameplay Potential: Mojang might expand their functionality in future updates, perhaps linking them to crafting or survival mechanics.
- Spider Eye Utilization: They make spider eyes more relevant beyond potion brewing.
