
Taming animals in 99 Nights in the Forest is one of the most exciting features added to the game, transforming your survival experience from lonely to companion-filled adventures. Whether you’re looking for a loyal wolf to protect you from cultists or a mighty bear to help you dominate the forest, this ultimate guide will teach you everything you need to know about animal taming in May 2026.
In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through every aspect of the taming system, from finding your first Taming Flute to mastering the most difficult creatures like Mammoths and Hellephants. You’ll learn the exact food requirements, upgrade paths, and pro strategies that most players miss. Plus, I’ll share insights from the official developers and recent updates that could give you the edge in your taming journey.
Ready to build your ultimate animal army? Let’s dive into the complete animal taming system!
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Required Item | Taming Flute (Old → Good → Strong) |
| Taming Process | 30-second minigame (similar to fishing) |
| Max Pets | 2 normally, 3 with Strong Flute |
| Key Classes | Zookeeper, Beastmaster, Necromancer (unlimited pets) |
| Latest Update | Taming Update (April 10, 2025) |
| Next Update | November 1, 2025 |
Before you can start taming animals, you need to get your hands on a Taming Flute. There are several ways to obtain this essential item:
Primary Methods:
Pro Tip: I recommend grabbing the flute from your starting campfire first, as it’s the most reliable method and doesn’t require any resources or trading.
The taming process in 99 Nights in the Forest features a unique minigame that’s similar to fishing but with its own mechanics. Here’s how it works:
Controls:
Pro Strategy: The Zookeeper class significantly improves your taming success rate, making the minigame much easier to complete. If you’re struggling with difficult animals, consider investing in this class.
One crucial aspect that many players miss is the stage system. Each animal has a certain number of “stages” represented by faces above their head:
Each red face means you need to complete the entire taming process (minigame + feeding) for that animal. More difficult animals have more stages, making them significantly more challenging to tame.
Example: A Bear requires 5 stages, meaning you must complete the taming minigame and feeding process 5 separate times!
Here’s the most comprehensive list of all tamable animals in 99 Nights in the Forest, including their exact requirements:
| Animal | Stages | Required Food | Total Food Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rabbit | 1 | 1x Carrot | 1x Carrot |
| Kiwi | 1 | 1x Berry | 1x Berry |
| Green Frog | 2 | 1x Mackerel | 2x Mackerel |
| Scorpion | 2 | 1x Steak, 1x Morsel | 2x Steak, 2x Morsel |
| Wolf | 3 | 1x Steak, 1x Morsel | 3x Steak, 3x Morsel |
| Animal | Stages | Required Food | Total Food Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arctic Fox | 3 | 1x Steak, 1x Chili | 3x Steak, 3x Chili |
| Alpha Wolf | 4 | 1x Steak, 1x Mackerel, 1x Salmon | 4x Steak, 4x Mackerel, 4x Salmon |
| Animal | Stages | Required Food | Total Food Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bear | 5 | 1x Steak, 1x Pumpkin, 1x Salmon | 5x Steak, 5x Pumpkin, 5x Salmon |
| Polar Bear | 5 | 1x Ribs, 1x Swordfish, 1x Stew | 5x Ribs, 5x Swordfish, 5x Stew |
| Mammoth | 5 | 2x Pumpkin, 1x Cake | 10x Pumpkin, 5x Cake |
| Hellephant | 5 | 2x Pumpkin, 1x Cake | 10x Pumpkin, 5x Cake |
Important Notes:
Your Taming Flute can be upgraded three times, each unlocking more powerful animals:
Old Taming Flute (Level 1)
Good Taming Flute (Level 2)
Strong Taming Flute (Level 3)
Pro Tip: I recommend taming 2 Wolves first to level up your flute quickly. They’re relatively easy to tame and provide good XP for upgrades.
Once you’ve successfully tamed animals, you need to manage them effectively. Here’s everything you need to know about pet management:
Your tamed animals respond to four basic commands:
| Command | Effect | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|
| Follow | Pet follows you and attacks enemies you damage or are damaged by | General exploration and combat |
| Sit | Pet stays in place, becomes passive | Safekeeping pets during dangerous activities |
| Release | Despawns the pet permanently | Freeing up slots for new pets |
| Rename | Change your pet’s name | Personalization and organization |
Standard Limit: 2 pets per player Extended Limit: 3 pets with Strong Flute Unlimited Pets: Zookeeper, Beastmaster, and Necromancer classes
Strategic Implications:
Tamed animals aren’t just for show—they’re valuable combat allies:
Pro Strategy: Pets can activate Lava Mines, making them useful for clearing dangerous areas. Use this to your advantage in volcanic biomes!
Certain classes dramatically improve your taming experience:
Zookeeper Class
Beastmaster Class
Necromancer Class
Farmer Class
Chef Class
Advanced taming requires significant food resources. Here’s how to prepare efficiently:
Essential Food Sources:
Farming Setup:
Different animals spawn in specific biomes. Here’s where to find each:
Forest Biome
Snow Biome
Volcanic Biome
All Biomes
Pro Tip: The Kiwi is most commonly found in the Campfire level 6 area, but can spawn anywhere. Keep your eyes peeled!
Problem: Red line moves too fast/unpredictably
Solution:
Problem: Can’t keep red line in green area
Solution:
Problem: Animal won’t accept food
Solution:
Problem: Don’t have enough food resources
Solution:
Problem: Can’t tame more animals (at limit)
Solution:
Problem: Pets keep dying in combat
Solution:
The major Taming Update introduced the entire animal taming system to 99 Nights in the Forest. Key features included:
New Items:
New Locations:
New Classes:
New Badges:
According to the official update logs, several changes have affected taming:
November 2025 Update (Upcoming):
Previous Changes:
The developers at Grandma’s Favorite Games (Cracky4’s team) have indicated that taming will continue to be a major focus. Based on official communications:
You can find Old Taming Flutes in the sack near your starting campfire, trade with the Pelt Trader, or start with one if you choose the Beastmaster or Zookeeper class.
Normally, you can have 2 pets at a time. With a Strong Taming Flute, you can have 3 pets. The Zookeeper, Beastmaster, and Necromancer classes can have unlimited pets.
Each animal requires a specific flute level. Basic animals need an Old Flute, intermediate ones need a Good Flute, and the most powerful animals require a Strong Flute.
Fill your Taming Flute XP bar by successfully taming animals, then visit the Workshop building near your camp and use the upgrade station.
If you fail, you can try again. However, if you use the flute on another animal while one is in progress, the first animal’s progress will reset.
Pets follow you until you die or release them. They won’t permanently die unless you release them intentionally.
Make sure you have the exact food items required for that specific animal and taming stage. Some animals also have known feeding glitches.
Bears and Mammoths are the strongest combat pets, dealing significant damage to enemies. Alpha Wolves are also excellent for their balanced stats.
You can craft Cakes with the Chef class or find them in buildings far from your campfire. They’re essential for taming Mammoths and Hellephants.
Yes, the developers have confirmed that more tamable creatures are planned for future updates, with the next major update scheduled for November 1, 2025.
Mastering animal taming in 99 Nights in the Forest opens up a whole new dimension of gameplay, transforming your survival experience into an exciting journey of companionship and power. From the humble Rabbit to the mighty Mammoth, each tamed animal brings unique advantages and strategic possibilities to your forest survival.
Remember that taming is both an art and a science—requiring patience, preparation, and practice. Start with the easier animals, upgrade your flute systematically, and don’t be afraid to experiment with different class combinations to find what works best for your playstyle.
The taming system continues to evolve with regular updates from Grandma’s Favorite Games, so stay tuned for new animals, mechanics, and opportunities. Whether you’re building the ultimate pet army or just want a loyal companion by your side, this guide has given you all the tools you need to become a master tamer in May 2026.
Ready to start your taming journey? Grab your flute, prepare your food supplies, and venture into the forest. Your perfect animal companion is waiting!
For more 99 Nights in the Forest guides, check out our 99 Nights Potion Making Guide, 99 Nights Forest New Classes & 2x Gems Update, and stay updated with the latest patch notes.
Bookmark this guide and check back regularly for updates as new animals and taming mechanics are added to the game!