How to Tame Animals in Hytale: Every Creature, Food & Success Rate
How to Tame Animals in Hytale: Every Creature, Food & Success Rate
Complete guide to taming animals in Hytale. Every tameable creature, their favorite food, befriending chances, and tips to build your farm.
Quick Summary
Best ApproachTaming animals in Hytale works differently from most survival games. There is no taming bar, no saddle requirement, and no permanent ownership. Instead, Hytale uses a befriending system — hold an animal’s favorite food, wait for it to approach, and press F to tame it.
This guide covers every tameable animal in the game, the exact food each one loves, your chances of success, and the strategies that make befriending reliable.
How Befriending Works
Section titled “How Befriending Works”Every animal in Hytale has an attitude toward the player: Friendly, Neutral, Hostile, or Ignore. Wild animals start as Neutral. Your goal is to shift them to Friendly.
Here is how the system works:
- Hold their favorite food in your hand and approach the animal slowly
- The animal notices the food and walks toward you
- A thought bubble appears above the animal’s head showing the specific food item it wants
- When you are close enough, a “Press F to tame” prompt appears on screen
- Press F to attempt befriending — each attempt has a percentage chance to succeed
- If successful, heart particles appear above the animal and it becomes Friendly
What Happens When It Fails?
Section titled “What Happens When It Fails?”Befriending is not guaranteed on the first try. If the attempt fails:
- The animal does not become hostile — it stays Neutral
- The thought bubble remains visible, so you can try again
- If you approach without food or startle the animal, it will flee instead
There is no cooldown between attempts. You can try again immediately as long as the animal has not run away.
Success Chances
Section titled “Success Chances”Every animal has two befriending rates:
- Base chance — Your odds without holding any food (typically 5-50%)
- With favorite food — Your odds when holding the specific crop they love (typically 20-80%)
The difference is massive. A Ram has a 5% base chance to befriend, but holding an Apple raises it to 20%. Always bring the right food.
How Long Does It Last?
Section titled “How Long Does It Last?”Befriended animals stay Friendly for a limited time:
- Without food in hand: 5 minutes
- While holding their favorite food: 15 minutes
After the timer expires, the animal returns to Neutral. You can re-befriend it by pressing F again with food in hand. To keep animals permanently accessible, build enclosures. See our horse guide for enclosure strategies that work for all livestock.
How Befriended Animals Behave
Section titled “How Befriended Animals Behave”Once an animal becomes Friendly, its behavior changes:
- It does not automatically follow you. Befriended animals wander or stay in the area on their own. They will not trail behind you like a pet.
- It follows you when you hold food. Equip the animal’s favorite food (or a Feed Bag) and it will walk toward you. This is how you lead animals into enclosures.
- It can be petted. With an empty hand, press F near a befriended animal to pet it.
- It plays a greeting animation. Newly befriended animals do a small greeting (a jump or wiggle) when tamed, and occasionally greet you when you return.
- It no longer flees from you — unless you hit it. Friendly animals will not run away when you approach, even at normal speed. However, if you attack a befriended animal, it will flee and lose its Friendly status.
This means taming alone is not enough to relocate an animal — you need to hold its food and walk it where you want it to go. Be careful with your weapons near livestock — an accidental hit will undo your taming work.
Every Tameable Animal and Their Favorite Food
Section titled “Every Tameable Animal and Their Favorite Food”This table covers every animal you can befriend in Hytale, organized by how easy they are to tame. The food icon shows the exact crop you need.
Easy to Befriend (50%+ with food)
Section titled “Easy to Befriend (50%+ with food)”These animals are the most cooperative. Great for beginners.
| Animal | Favorite Food | Base Chance | With Food | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pig |  Brown Mushroom | 50% | 80% | — |
| Piglet | Brown Mushroom | 50% | 80% | — |
| Bunny |  Carrot | 50% | 80% | Timid |
| Horse | Carrot | 30% | 70% | Mountable |
| Foal | Carrot | 30% | 80% | Mountable |
| Chicken |  Corn | 20% | 70% | Eggs |
| Chick | Corn | 20% | 70% | — |
| Desert Chicken | Corn | 20% | 70% | Eggs |
| Mosshorn |  Potato | 60% | — | Milk |
Moderate Difficulty (40-60% with food)
Section titled “Moderate Difficulty (40-60% with food)”Requires a couple of attempts but still manageable.
| Animal | Favorite Food | Base Chance | With Food | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | Cauliflower | 30% | 60% | Milk |
| Calf | Cauliflower | 30% | 60% | — |
| Sheep |  Lettuce | 20% | 60% | Wool |
| Lamb | Lettuce | 20% | 60% | — |
| Rabbit | Carrot | 30% | 60% | Timid |
| Goat | Apple | 20% | 50% | Friendly by default |
| Goat Kid | Apple | 20% | 50% | Friendly by default |
| Turkey | Corn | 20% | 50% | — |
| Turkey Chick | Corn | 20% | 50% | — |
| Wild Pig |  Pumpkin | 30% | 50% | — |
| Boar | Red Mushroom | 30% | 50% | — |
| Mouflon | Apple | 30% | 50% | — |
| Skrill |  Chilli | 20% | 50% | Harvestable |
Hard to Befriend (Below 40% with food)
Section titled “Hard to Befriend (Below 40% with food)”These animals are stubborn. Bring extra food and patience.
| Animal | Favorite Food | Base Chance | With Food | Special |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Camel |  Wheat | 20% | 40% | — |
| Camel Calf | Wheat | 20% | 40% | — |
| Bison | None | 15% | 30% | Aggressive when startled |
| Bison Calf | None | 15% | 30% | — |
| Ram | Apple | 5% | 20% | Mountable |
| Ram Lamb | Apple | 5% | 20% | — |
| Warthog | Red Berries | 5% | 20% | — |
| Warthog Piglet | Red Berries | 5% | 20% | — |
Bison Have No Favorite Food
Bison are the only tameable animal without a preferred food item. They also have the AttackWhenStartled behavior, meaning they may charge you if you approach too quickly. Move slowly and keep your distance until they calm down.
Mountable Animals
Section titled “Mountable Animals”Two animals can be ridden after befriending. Both require you to press F (interact) to mount.
Horses
Section titled “Horses”Horses are the primary mount in Hytale. They spawn in Zone 1 (Emerald Wilds) and Zone 2 (Howling Sands).
- Favorite food: Carrot
- Befriend chance with Carrot: 70% (Foals: 80%)
- Speed: Fastest land mount available
- Controls: WASD to move, Shift to sprint, F to dismount
Horses flee when you dismount, so always have a carrot ready or an enclosure prepared. For the full breakdown on finding, mounting, and keeping horses, see our dedicated Hytale Horse Guide.
Rams are the toughest mount to befriend, but they offer an alternative riding experience.
- Favorite food: Apple
- Befriend chance with Apple: 20% (lowest of any mount)
- Location: Zone 1 (Emerald Wilds)
- Behavior: Aggressive — Rams may attack if provoked
At only 20% success rate even with Apples, expect to need multiple attempts. Bring at least 10 Apples per Ram befriending session.
Harvestable Animals
Section titled “Harvestable Animals”Some befriended animals produce renewable resources. These are especially valuable for your farm.
| Animal | Produces | Favorite Food | Befriend Chance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cow | Milk | Cauliflower | 60% |
| Sheep | Wool | Lettuce | 60% |
| Chicken | Eggs | Corn | 70% |
| Desert Chicken | Eggs | Corn | 70% |
| Skrill | Harvestable | Chilli | 50% |
| Mosshorn | Mosshorn Milk | Potato | 60% |
Setting Up a Farm
Section titled “Setting Up a Farm”The best setup for harvestable animals:
- Build an enclosure using fences at least 2 blocks high
- Befriend the animal with their favorite food
- Lead them into the pen while holding the food
- Close the gate before the friendly timer expires
- Place a Feed Bag inside the enclosure to keep them calm
Chickens are the easiest farm animal to manage. They befriend quickly with Corn, produce Eggs passively, and do not flee as aggressively as horses.
Unique and Exotic Animals
Section titled “Unique and Exotic Animals”Skrils
Section titled “Skrils”Skrils are bird-like creatures that respond to Chilli. They are harvestable, making them a unique farm animal if you can find them.
- Favorite food: Chilli
- Befriend chance: 50% with Chilli
- Young: Skrill Chicks have the same rates
Mouflons
Section titled “Mouflons”Mouflons are wild sheep found alongside domestic sheep. They befriend with Apples at a 50% rate.
Camels
Section titled “Camels”Camels spawn in Zone 2 (Howling Sands) and are attracted to Wheat. At only 40% with food, they take some patience. Camel Calves share the same rates as adults.
Goats are unique because their default attitude is already Friendly. You may not even need to befriend them — they naturally approach players. Apples improve the interaction if they have reset to Neutral.
Animals You Cannot Tame
Section titled “Animals You Cannot Tame”Not every creature in Hytale can be befriended. Here is what will never become your friend:
Predators
Section titled “Predators”These animals use hostile AI and cannot be befriended:
- Wolves (Black Wolf, White Wolf)
- Bears (Grizzly Bear, Polar Bear)
- Foxes
- Hyenas
- Snow Leopards
- Sabertooth Tigers
Mythic Creatures
Section titled “Mythic Creatures”Special creatures that operate outside the befriending system:
- Emberwulf, Fen Stalker, Yeti, Cactee, Snapdragon, and others
Critters
Section titled “Critters”Small animals like Squirrels, Frogs, Geckos, Meerkats, and Mice cannot be befriended. They use passive critter behavior and simply flee or ignore the player.
Reptiles and Vermin
Section titled “Reptiles and Vermin”Crocodiles, Snakes, Scorpions, Spiders, and similar creatures are either hostile or operate on different behavior templates. None of them can be tamed.
The Feed Bag
Section titled “The Feed Bag”The Feed Bag is a craftable tool that attracts all tameable animals, regardless of species. It is the most versatile tool for managing livestock.
How to Get It
Section titled “How to Get It”You need a Farmer’s Workbench to craft the Feed Bag.
| Step | Action | Materials |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Craft a Basic Workbench | 4x Tree Trunk + 3x Stone |
| 2 | Craft a Farmer’s Workbench | 6x Tree Trunk + 20x Plant Fiber |
| 3 | Craft the Feed Bag | 10x Wheat + 5x Vegetables + 5x Fruit + 10x Essence of Life |
Need Essence of Life? See our Essence of Life farming guide for the fastest methods.
How It Works
Section titled “How It Works”- Held in hand: All nearby tameable animals will approach you, similar to holding a specific crop
- Placed on ground: Attracts animals over time, perfect for luring livestock into enclosures
The Feed Bag does not replace favorite foods for befriending chances. Use the specific crop to maximize your success rate, then switch to the Feed Bag for ongoing management.
Tips for Befriending Animals
Section titled “Tips for Befriending Animals”Always bring the right food. The difference between a 5% base chance and a 70% chance with food is enormous. Check the table above before heading out — or just look at the thought bubble above the animal’s head.
Do not sprint near wild animals. Sprinting startles untamed animals and causes them to flee. Walk or crouch when approaching. Holding their favorite food helps keep them calm even if you get close.
Approach slowly. Many animals are timid or will flee if you move too fast. Crouch and move carefully, especially with Rabbits, Bunnies, and Bison.
Build enclosures first. Friendly status is temporary (5-15 minutes) and befriended animals do not follow you automatically. Have your pen ready, then hold food to lead the animal inside before the timer expires.
Baby animals are often easier. Foals have an 80% befriend rate compared to adult horses at 70%. Piglets and Chicks match their parents, but young animals tend to be less skittish.
Goats come free. Goats default to Friendly and will approach you without any food. If you want easy livestock, start with goats.
Pigs are the easiest deliberate tame. With a 50% base chance and 80% with Brown Mushrooms, Pigs are almost guaranteed to befriend on the first or second try.
Rams are a trophy tame. At 5% base and 20% with Apples, Rams are the hardest animal to befriend. Bring a full stack of Apples and settle in for multiple attempts.
Common Questions
Section titled “Common Questions”How do I tame animals in Hytale?
Section titled “How do I tame animals in Hytale?”Hold the animal’s favorite food in your hand and walk toward it slowly. The animal will approach you, and a thought bubble above its head shows the food it wants. When you are close enough, a “Press F to tame” prompt appears. Press F to attempt befriending — if successful, heart particles appear and the animal becomes Friendly. Check the complete food table above for every animal and their preferred food.
Is taming permanent in Hytale?
Section titled “Is taming permanent in Hytale?”No. Befriended animals stay Friendly for 5 minutes without food, or 15 minutes while you hold their favorite food or a Feed Bag. After this, they return to Neutral. Build enclosures to keep animals contained between befriending sessions.
Can I tame wolves or bears in Hytale?
Section titled “Can I tame wolves or bears in Hytale?”No. Predators like wolves, bears, foxes, and hyenas use hostile behavior templates and cannot be befriended. Only herbivorous and neutral livestock animals can be tamed.
What is the easiest animal to tame?
Section titled “What is the easiest animal to tame?”Pigs have the highest combined befriending rate: 50% base chance and 80% with Brown Mushrooms. Goats are even easier since they default to Friendly without needing any food.
What is the hardest animal to tame?
Section titled “What is the hardest animal to tame?”Rams and Warthogs share the lowest rates at 5% base chance and 20% with their favorite food (Apple and Red Berries). Bison are also difficult because they have no favorite food and can attack when startled.
Can I ride any animal I tame?
Section titled “Can I ride any animal I tame?”Only Horses and Rams are mountable. Other animals can follow you and be kept in enclosures, but cannot be ridden. Press F to mount after befriending.
Which animals produce resources?
Section titled “Which animals produce resources?”Cows produce Milk, Sheep produce Wool, Chickens produce Eggs, Mosshorns produce Mosshorn Milk, and Skrils are harvestable. Befriend these animals and keep them in enclosures for a steady supply of resources.
Do tamed animals follow me automatically?
Section titled “Do tamed animals follow me automatically?”No. Befriended animals do not follow you on their own. They wander or stay in the area. To lead an animal somewhere, hold its favorite food or a Feed Bag in your hand — it will follow the food. This is how you guide animals into enclosures.
How do I keep tamed animals from running away?
Section titled “How do I keep tamed animals from running away?”Build a fenced enclosure at least 2 blocks high with a gate. Hold the animal’s favorite food to lead it inside, then close the gate before the friendly timer expires. Place a Feed Bag inside to help keep them calm. See our horse guide for detailed enclosure building tips.
Update History
Section titled “Update History”This guide is based on animal behavior data from the current Hytale build. Taming mechanics, befriending rates, and food preferences may change as the game develops. We will update this page when new animals or mechanics are added.
Last reviewed: February 2026
Sources
Section titled “Sources”All befriending rates, favorite foods, behavior templates, and taming mechanics are sourced from Hytale’s internal NPC behavior configuration files and item interaction definitions in the game’s Assets.zip. Success percentages are read directly from the befriendChance parameters. Animal categories (predator, livestock, critter) are determined by their assigned behavior templates.
