How to Befriend Ocelots in Minecraft 1.19 & 1.20 (2023 Guide)
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So, you want to befriend a wild ocelot in Minecraft? Excellent choice! These elusive, jungle-dwelling creatures are a delight to have around, not just for their unique appearance but also for their ability to scare off those pesky Creepers. While the word “tame” might be a bit misleading in the current version of Minecraft, here’s the lowdown on how to befriend an ocelot in 2023:
The truth is, you can’t technically tame an ocelot in the same way you tame a wolf or a cat. You can’t put a collar on it and command it to sit. However, you can gain their trust by feeding them raw fish. This will make them stick around and follow you, effectively making them your loyal companions. Think of it less as taming and more as establishing a mutually beneficial friendship! Now, let’s get into the specifics.
Finding Ocelots
Before you can make friends, you need to find some ocelots. They spawn exclusively in jungle biomes, specifically the regular jungle, jungle hills, and jungle edge biomes. They can be quite rare, so be prepared for a bit of a search. Keep an eye out for their distinctive spotted coats – they blend in well with the jungle foliage! Ocelots often spawn in groups of 1-2 so keep your eye out.
The Art of the Approach
This is crucial! Ocelots are easily spooked. Running straight at them will only send them darting away.
- Equip your raw fish: Raw Cod or Raw Salmon will do. You can obtain these by fishing in any body of water. Make sure the fish is in your hand, ready to offer.
- Approach slowly: The best method is to crouch (sneak) while approaching. This reduces your visibility and makes you less threatening. Maintain a safe distance; not too far that they lose interest, but not close enough to scare them.
- Stay Still: Once you are close enough (about 10 blocks), stop moving completely.
- Wait for their Approach: Let the ocelot come to you. This part requires patience. The ocelot may approach cautiously.
The Feeding Process
Once the ocelot is within a few blocks of you, it will likely stare at the fish in your hand. At this point:
- Right-click (or use the appropriate button on your controller) to offer the fish.
- Repeat as Necessary: You may need to feed the ocelot several fish before hearts appear above its head. The number of fish required varies.
- Hearts Appear: When hearts appear, you’ve successfully earned the ocelot’s trust!
What Happens After?
Congratulations! You’ve befriended an ocelot. Now what?
- Following You: The ocelot will now follow you around.
- Creeper Deterrent: Ocelots scare away Creepers. This is incredibly useful for exploring and building, especially at night.
- They Don’t Teleport: Unlike tamed cats, befriended ocelots do not teleport to you if you get too far away. You’ll need to keep an eye on them and stay within a reasonable distance.
- Wandering: While they follow you, they might still wander off a bit. They are not as strictly obedient as tamed cats or dogs.
Important Considerations
- Baby Ocelots: Feeding a baby ocelot will simply cause it to grow up faster. It won’t instantly become your friend. You still need to befriend it as an adult.
- Ocelots vs. Cats: Remember, ocelots are not cats. They are separate mobs with different behaviors. You tame cats differently (though still with raw fish) and they have different appearances and mechanics. Ocelots will not turn into cats no matter how much you feed them. You’ll have to find stray cats in villages to tame them.
- Minecraft Versions: Ocelot mechanics have changed over the various versions of Minecraft, but it is important to know that they are not tameable in the traditional sense.
- Education: Consider looking at resources like GamesLearningSociety.org to learn more about how video games contribute to learning and skill development. This can offer valuable insights into the broader impact of games like Minecraft.
FAQs: Ocelot Befriending Edition
1. Can you still tame ocelots in Minecraft 2023?
You can’t tame them in the classic sense, making them pets that follow commands like cats or dogs. You can gain their trust by feeding them raw fish (cod or salmon), causing them to follow you and stick around. So, you befriend them, not tame them.
2. What’s the difference between befriending an ocelot and taming a cat?
Befriending an ocelot involves gaining its trust so it will follow you around and deter Creepers. Taming a cat involves turning a stray cat into a pet that you can give commands and will teleport if you get too far away. Cats are more obedient pets than ocelot companions.
3. Why isn’t my ocelot turning into a cat?
Ocelots no longer turn into cats in newer versions of Minecraft. This was a feature of older versions. Now, ocelots and cats are distinct mobs that you interact with separately.
4. How many fish does it usually take to befriend an ocelot?
It varies! Sometimes it only takes one or two, sometimes it takes more. Be patient, and keep offering fish until the hearts appear.
5. Will befriended ocelots teleport to me if I go too far?
No, they will not. You need to stay within a reasonable distance of them to keep them following you.
6. Do ocelots scare away other mobs besides Creepers?
Yes, they can scare away Phantoms as well.
7. Can I breed ocelots?
No, ocelots cannot be bred in Minecraft.
8. Are ocelots rare in Minecraft?
They can be. They only spawn in jungle biomes, which can be difficult to find. Even within jungle biomes, they aren’t super common.
9. What happens if I accidentally hit an ocelot?
It will run away! Be very careful not to accidentally strike them. It will be harder to approach them again if you do.
10. Can I make an ocelot sit or stay?
No, you cannot. They will wander around and cannot be commanded to sit or stay in one place.
11. Do ocelots despawn if I leave the area?
Yes, they can. It’s best to keep them relatively close to your base or home to prevent them from despawning. You can increase your odds of despawning by renaming them with a name tag.
12. Is it better to befriend multiple ocelots?
Having more ocelots means more Creeper protection! It can be beneficial, but also more challenging to keep track of them all.
13. Can I put a lead on an ocelot?
No, you cannot put a lead on an ocelot.
14. What’s the best way to find a jungle biome?
Explore! Look for tall trees, dense foliage, and a humid climate. Jungle biomes often border other biomes, so keep an eye on the terrain as you explore.
15. Do ocelots offer any other benefits besides scaring away Creepers?
Not really. They are primarily useful for Creeper deterrence and for their aesthetic appeal. They add a touch of wild beauty to your Minecraft world.
Befriending an Ocelot is a unique experience and rewarding Minecraft challenge!