Having first released fully all the way back in 2011, Minecraft has been around for over a decade now, and in that time there have been plenty of updates that continue to expand the game. Over the last 11 years, there have been 17 major updates for Minecraft, each of which has added a slew of new blocks, objects, mobs, and biomes. These updates tend to release at least once every year, and though Minecraft's 1.20 is going to miss 2022, the wait seems like it'll be worth it.
Just a few weeks ago, Mojang hosted its Minecraft Live event, and teased all of its upcoming projects. Along with a gameplay reveal for Minecraft Legends, Minecraft's upcoming 1.20 update was also shown off in quite a bit of detail. Minecraft's 1.20 update is set to introduce bamboo wood, new signpost and bookshelf blocks, and some new creator tool features. But by far the most exciting announcement was that Minecraft 1.20 will update the desert biome, adding new blocks and mobs to the environment including camels. But Mojang shouldn't stop there, there are plenty of other desert-based animals that would make for great Minecraft mobs.
Other Desert Mobs That Could Come to Minecraft 1.20
While Minecraft's 1.20 update is set to add a new hostile mob to the game, being the Sniffer that fans voted for, it's also set to add camels as a new passive mob type. Essentially acting as another horse variant, these camels' primary function is to transport the player and their goods. However, unlike horses, camels won't be able to equip armor, but they do have their own set of unique advantages. Players won't need a saddle to ride camels, and they have a dash ability that lets the player propel the camel forward 12 blocks which can also be used in mid-air.
Camels are a great addition to Minecraft, and they could also pave the way for other desert-based wildlife. Some of the most iconic desert wildlife is also pretty dangerous, which would open the door for some more aggressive enemy mobs. Snakes and scorpions are the most obvious additions, with rattlesnakes and hairy scorpions being specific real-world examples that Mojang could draw from. Minecraft is no stranger to having spookier mobs, and snakes and scorpions would certainly fit the bill, being able to hide in tall grass and jump out at the player for a light jumpscare. Coyotes would also work quite well as aggressive mobs, albeit functioning a little too similarly to wolves.
On the more friendly side of things, Minecraft also has plenty of non-threatening desert animals to draw inspiration from. Meerkats are one of the cutest options, being able to burrow into the ground and peek out with their cute little pixilated eyes. Giant tortoises would also be a cute addition, just slowly lumbering around Minecraft's refreshed desert biome. Dung beetles could also work well, with players being able to watch them roll their ball across the dune calmly.
Adding new wildlife to Minecraft's desert biome could also pave the way for some new gameplay mechanics. For instance, with many desert snakes and scorpions being venomous, players could be forced to fashion themselves an antidote from their surroundings if they're bitten. New animals could also lead the way to new material types, with tortoise shells, snake skins, and meerkat pelts all being possible new material ideas, though they are a little grim. This would also naturally lead to more cooking ingredient types, which could then be used to create new recipes.
Minecraft is available now for Mobile, PC, PS4, Switch, and Xbox One.