How Do You Get Sniffer Eggs in Minecraft?
The key to obtaining precious Sniffer Eggs in Minecraft lies in finding and breeding adult Sniffers. These eggs **cannot be crafted **or found in naturally generated chests; they are exclusively produced when two Sniffers breed.
Introducing the Sniffer: A Minecraft Archeological Marvel
The Sniffer, a passive mob introduced in Minecraft as the winner of a community vote, brings a unique gameplay element to the world. Unlike many other creatures, Sniffers are not commonly found wandering the Overworld. Instead, players must engage in a bit of archeology to bring these ancient beings back to life. Once revived, Sniffers offer a way to discover new and rare seeds, enriching the game’s botany and offering exciting possibilities for landscaping and building. Their large size and distinctive sniffing animation make them charming additions to any Minecraft world.
The Rewards of Reviving: Benefits of Owning Sniffers
Beyond their aesthetic appeal, Sniffers provide a tangible benefit to players. By using their sniffing ability, they unearth ancient seeds that are otherwise unobtainable. These seeds allow players to grow unique decorative plants, adding depth and variety to their gardens and structures. The two unique plants that they find are:
- Torchflower Seeds: These are used to grow Torchflowers which can be crafted into Suspicious Stew or used as a dye.
- Pitcher Pods: These are used to grow Pitcher Plants and can be used as decoration.
Furthermore, breeding Sniffers ensures a sustainable source of these rare seeds, allowing players to expand their collection of unique flora and create truly distinctive environments.
The Revival Process: From Egg to Sniffer
The journey of acquiring a Sniffer begins with uncovering its eggs. Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Locate Warm Ocean Ruins: Sniffer Eggs are exclusively found in Suspicious Sand located within Warm Ocean Ruins. These ruins can be found at varied depths and are distinguishable by their sandstone and occasionally terracotta brick structures. Look near the surface, as well as towards the ocean floor.
- Bring a Brush: Suspicious Sand requires a brush to be carefully sifted, revealing the hidden treasures within. Craft a brush using one stick, one feather, and one copper ingot.
- Carefully Brush Suspicious Sand: Approach a block of Suspicious Sand and use the brush. Be patient, as the process takes time. The Suspicious Sand is visually different from regular sand by its darker, layered pattern.
- Uncover the Sniffer Egg: With luck, brushing the Suspicious Sand will reveal a Sniffer Egg. They have a unique texture that differentiates them from other items.
- Hatch the Egg: Place the Sniffer Egg on a block and wait. Sniffer Eggs hatch faster on Moss Blocks. It takes roughly 20 minutes for an egg to hatch normally, and about 10 minutes on moss.
- Repeat: Find and hatch at least two sniffer eggs to breed them.
Breeding Sniffers: Creating the Next Generation
Once you have two adult Sniffers, you can breed them to produce more Sniffer Eggs.
- Locate Adult Sniffers: Make sure you have at least two adult Sniffers in close proximity to each other.
- Feed them Torchflower Seeds: Obtain Torchflower Seeds (found by the sniffer from using its sniffing ability). Hold the seeds in your hand and right-click on each Sniffer. They will enter “love mode,” indicated by heart particles.
- Wait for the Egg: The Sniffers will breed and produce a Sniffer Egg. The egg will always be placed on the ground near the adult Sniffers.
- Hatch the Egg: Similar to the found eggs, place the bred Sniffer Egg on a block and wait for it to hatch. It will hatch faster on a moss block.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Breeding Sniffers successfully requires understanding the mechanics involved. Here are some common pitfalls:
- Not using Torchflower Seeds: Only Torchflower Seeds will trigger breeding. Other foods have no effect.
- Insufficient space: Sniffers require ample space to move around, breed, and lay eggs. Confined spaces can hinder the process.
- Forgetting to brush Suspicious Sand: Brush every block of suspicious sand in the area. Some are less visible than others.
- Impatience: Hatching eggs take time. Use moss to speed up the process, but avoid tampering with the egg while it’s hatching.
Ideal Sniffer Habitat
Providing your Sniffers with a comfortable and safe habitat will greatly improve their breeding success. Consider the following factors when creating your Sniffer enclosure:
- Size: Ensure the enclosure is large enough for the Sniffers to move around freely. A 10×10 area is a good starting point.
- Terrain: Include a mix of grass, dirt, and moss blocks. Moss blocks are especially beneficial, as they speed up the hatching process.
- Lighting: Adequate lighting prevents hostile mobs from spawning and potentially harming your Sniffers.
- Security: Enclose the area with fences or walls to prevent the Sniffers from wandering off.
| Habitat Feature | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Large Size | Facilitates movement and breeding |
| Moss Blocks | Speeds up egg hatching |
| Adequate Lighting | Prevents hostile mob spawns |
| Secure Enclosure | Prevents Sniffers from escaping |
Efficiency Tips
- Designated Breeding Area: Creating a specifically designed breeding area with moss blocks and ample space will significantly speed up the breeding process.
- Mine all Suspicious Sand: Brush every block of suspicious sand in the Warm Ocean Ruins.
- Farm Torchflower Seeds: Plant and grow Torchflowers to ensure a consistent supply of seeds.
- Automate Seed Collection: Explore ways to automate the collection of seeds unearthed by the Sniffers using hoppers and minecarts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do I find Warm Ocean Ruins easily?
Warm Ocean Ruins generate within the warm ocean biome. Exploring the ocean by boat or Elytra is the easiest method. Keep an eye out for sandstone structures near the surface and submerged ruins below. Using a map is helpful for identifying the surrounding biome.
Can I use any type of brush to uncover Sniffer Eggs?
No. You must use a crafted brush using a stick, feather, and copper ingot. There are no other valid types of brushes.
Do Sniffer Eggs hatch in the Nether or the End?
No, Sniffer Eggs will only hatch in the Overworld. They are susceptible to environmental changes in other dimensions, rendering them unable to hatch.
Can hostile mobs harm Sniffer Eggs?
While mobs won’t target the egg directly, explosions or other environmental damage caused by mobs can destroy the egg. Ensure the hatching location is safe from hostile mobs.
How long does it take for a Sniffer Egg to hatch without moss?
A Sniffer Egg takes approximately 20 minutes (one Minecraft day) to hatch without a moss block. Using a moss block reduces this time to around 10 minutes.
Are Sniffer Eggs affected by the Fortune enchantment?
No, the Fortune enchantment does not affect the drop rate of Sniffer Eggs from Suspicious Sand. The chance of finding an egg is fixed for each block.
Can I use Silk Touch to pick up a Sniffer Egg once it’s placed?
No, Sniffer Eggs cannot be picked up once they are placed. If you break the block, the egg will break and disappear.
What happens if I place a Sniffer Egg underwater?
A Sniffer Egg will still hatch underwater. The egg is not affected by being submerged.
Do Sniffers eat anything besides Torchflower Seeds?
No. Sniffers are only interested in Torchflower Seeds for breeding. Other food items are irrelevant to them.
How often do Sniffers find seeds?
The frequency with which Sniffers find seeds varies. There’s no fixed timer, but they will regularly sniff around and dig up seeds if they are on appropriate blocks such as grass or dirt. The seeds can not be found on blocks like stone.
Can multiple Sniffers breed at the same time?
Yes, multiple Sniffers can breed simultaneously as long as they have access to Torchflower Seeds and sufficient space.
Is there a limit to how many Sniffers I can have in one area?
While there isn’t a hard limit, having too many Sniffers in a confined space can lead to performance issues and hinder breeding. Maintaining a reasonable population density is recommended for optimal results.