Hytale's Early Access launched in January 2026, and the February Update 3 introduced a basic but exciting taming system for friendly animals. This lets players calm skittish wildlife, pet them for heart particles, and use some as mounts or resource farms. Tamed animals stay nearby, greet you occasionally, and won't flee unless attacked. They can be fed periodically, milked, sheared, or ridden depending on the type.
While full breeding and pet following are planned for later, current taming transforms farms and travel. Here's everything you need to know.
How to Tame Animals: Step-by-Step
- Locate a Tameable Animal: Friendlier passive mobs spawn in specific biomes. Start in Emerald Grove (Zone 1) for basics like chickens, cows, pigs, sheep, horses, and rabbits. Venture to Howling Sands (Zone 2) for camels and boars, or Borea (Zone 3) for bisons and rams.
- Interact to Check Food Preference: Approach slowly (they may flee). Press F to interact. A "Tame" prompt appears with a thought bubble showing the exact food needed, like a carrot icon for horses.
- Feed the Favorite Food: Equip one unit of the correct item and feed via interaction or proximity. Hearts appear, and the animal is tamed instantly.
- Pet and Maintain: Use an empty hand to pet (more hearts!). Feed occasionally to keep them happy. Tamed animals produce resources like milk (cows), wool (sheep), or eggs (chickens).
All Known Tameable Animals and Foods
Community testing post-Update 3 confirms these pairings. Foods grow wild in plains or farmable via seeds.
| Animal | Food Item | Biome/Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Horse | Carrot | Emerald Grove; Mountable |
| Rabbit | Carrot | Emerald Grove |
| Cow | Cabbage | Emerald Grove; Milkable |
| Sheep | Cabbage | Emerald Grove; Shearable |
| Chicken | Corn | Emerald Grove; Eggs |
| Pig | Turnip | Emerald Grove |
| Mosshorn | Potato | Various |
| Bison | Cauliflower | Borea |
| Boar (Wild) | Pumpkin | Howling Sands |
| Goat/Ram | Apple | Borea/Howling Sands; Mountable? |
| Camel | Tomato | Howling Sands; Mountable |
More will be added as updates expand taming.
Essential Tools for Taming and Farming
- Feed Bag: Universal lure for small/baby animals. Craft at Farmer's Workbench (Tier 1): 10 Wheat, 5 Any Vegetable, 5 Any Fruit, 10 Essence of Life. Hold to attract or place in pens.
- Capture Crate: Transport babies (piglets, chicks, etc.). Craft at Tier 2 Workbench: 4 Wood, 50 Essence of Life. Right-click to scoop/release. Doesn't work on adults or flyers.
Farmer's Workbench: 6 Trunks + 3 Stone (Tier 1). Upgrade with Essence, Wheat, Lettuce, Softwood.
Building Escape-Proof Farms
- Enclosures: 2 blocks high (animals jump 1-block fences). Use gates or airlocks. Solid floors prevent mob spawns; light with torches.
- Size: Room for 10+ animals. Separate species to avoid fights.
- Extras: Place Feed Bag inside. Chickens may "breed" near coops (growing chicks observed).
Tips and Tricks
- Luring Tough Ones: Use Feed Bag for fast runners like rabbits.
- Mounting: Tame first, then ride horses/camels. Hold food before dismount to anchor.
- Resources: Harvest manure (fertilizer), hides, meat. Loot tables vary by biome.
- Bugs: Rare timeout on taming; re-feed. Avoid hitting tamed animals.
- Future: Deeper taming, breeding, pets incoming.