Foxes in Minecraft are not just adorable creatures; they add charm and character to the game’s wilderness. Taming a fox, however, is not as straightforward as taming a wolf or cat. You cannot simply walk up to a wild fox and feed it until it follows you. Instead, the process involves careful observation, understanding fox behavior, and a bit of breeding strategy. This guide will take you step-by-step through how to tame a fox in Minecraft, covering everything from finding foxes to gaining their trust and making them your loyal companions.
Finding Foxes in Minecraft
Locate the Right Biome
Foxes only spawn in specific biomes, so your first step is to find the right habitat. Foxes are nocturnal mobs that naturally spawn in:
- Taiga Biomes
- Snowy Taiga Biomes
- Giant Tree Taiga Biomes
In the snowy version, foxes appear with white fur instead of their typical orange coats. Regardless of color, both behave the same and can be tamed using the same method.
Fox Spawn Conditions
Foxes spawn in groups of two to four and usually appear at night. They are naturally shy and will run from players unless you’re sneaking or they are sleeping. Wild foxes often spawn holding an item in their mouth, which can be anything from berries to feathers.
Preparing for Taming
Gather Sweet Berries
The key to breeding foxes lies in sweet berries. These red berries are found in bushes that grow naturally in taiga biomes. When you find a patch, harvest a good amount of them by right-clicking (or using your controller’s action button) on the bush. Avoid walking into the bush, as it can cause minor damage.
- Location: Taiga biomes
- Tool Needed: None (can be harvested by hand)
- Quantity Recommended: At least 10 sweet berries
Bring a Lead or Materials to Craft One
Leads are not required to tame a fox, but they are extremely useful. Once you’ve bred a baby fox, it won’t trust you immediately. You’ll need to use a lead to guide it until it fully trusts you. Leads can be found in chests, or crafted using 4 string and 1 slimeball.
How to Tame a Fox in Minecraft
Step 1: Find Two Wild Foxes
To begin the taming process, you need two adult foxes. Sneak up on them during the night or early morning while they are still and not alert. This will prevent them from running away. Try fencing them in if possible, to make things easier.
Step 2: Feed Them Sweet Berries
Equip the sweet berries and feed one to each fox. You’ll see heart ptopics appear above their heads, indicating that they are ready to breed. Shortly after, a baby fox will be born near them. This newborn fox is key to taming.
Step 3: Separate the Baby Fox
Although the baby fox is the result of your breeding, it will still follow its wild parents. To prevent this, you need to separate it. Use a lead to attach the baby fox and pull it away from its parents. Keep it at a distance until it grows up.
Step 4: Let the Baby Fox Grow
The baby fox will eventually grow into an adult in about 20 minutes of in-game time. You can speed up the process by feeding it more sweet berries. Once it’s fully grown and has been separated from its wild parents long enough, it will begin to trust you.
Step 5: Trusted Fox Behavior
When a fox trusts you, it will no longer run away from you. It will follow you around, and you can use leads to guide it. Unlike wolves or cats, foxes don’t sit or teleport to you, but they can be helpful allies, especially in combat. A trusted fox will attack enemies such as chickens or skeletons, depending on what item it is holding in its mouth.
Helpful Tips for Fox Taming
Breeding Multiple Foxes
If you want a group of tamed foxes, repeat the process. Breed more pairs of foxes, separate each baby from its wild parents, and raise them individually. Eventually, you can have an entire den of friendly foxes around your base.
Items Foxes Can Hold
Foxes can carry and use many items in their mouth, including weapons and tools. If a fox picks up a sword or enchanted weapon, it can use it in combat. Drop the item on the ground near the fox and wait for it to pick it up.
Keep Foxes Safe
Foxes are vulnerable to hostile mobs, lava, drowning, and fall damage. If you’re keeping foxes as pets, consider building a safe, enclosed area with beds, fences, and a roof to protect them. Use name tags to prevent them from despawning if you’re far away from your base.
Differences Between Java and Bedrock Editions
Spawning Mechanics
While the basic mechanics are the same across both editions, the spawn rates and behavior of foxes can vary slightly:
- Java Edition: Foxes spawn at night in taiga biomes; easier to track and trap
- Bedrock Edition: Foxes can spawn during daytime as well but may wander more unpredictably
Lead Mechanics
In Bedrock Edition, foxes are slightly more resistant to being pulled by leads, so you may need to guide them more carefully. Otherwise, the taming process remains consistent across platforms.
Using Foxes in Gameplay
Foxes in Combat
Though not as reliable as wolves, foxes can hold and use weapons. If equipped with a sword, they can deal decent damage to enemies. However, they don’t always attack on command and may act independently, so they are more of a bonus than a primary combat companion.
Automatic Farming
Some players use foxes in berry farms. Since foxes like sweet berries, they can automatically harvest berry bushes if they walk through them. With the right setup, this can help automate your food supply.
Decoration and Companionship
For many players, foxes are kept mainly for aesthetic purposes. Their cute animations, sleeping behavior, and reactions to the environment add a cozy, lifelike element to any base or village. Add them near your cabins or garden areas to enhance the atmosphere.
Taming a fox in Minecraft is a rewarding experience that requires patience and planning. By breeding wild foxes using sweet berries and raising their offspring away from wild parents, you can earn the trust of these elusive creatures. Though they don’t behave like other tamed mobs, foxes offer unique benefits, from combat assistance to aesthetic charm. Whether you’re building a fox sanctuary or just want a single trusted companion, following the right steps will ensure your efforts pay off. Explore taiga biomes, gather berries, and begin your journey to taming foxes in the vast world of Minecraft.