Better Ecology

Ever wondered why Minecraft chickens just wander aimlessly instead of roosting at night? Or why wolves hunt alone instead of coordinating as packs? Well, we did too. So we built a mod that gives animals the behaviors they deserve.

Better Ecology brings scientifically-grounded AI to Minecraft’s animals. Cows form genuine herds with emergent leadership. Wolves coordinate ambush tactics during pack hunts. Chickens establish roosting hierarchies at nightfall. Every behavior is based on real research, not random wandering.

Getting Started

Choose your path:

Player Wiki

Learn how animals behave, breed, and interact. Discover habitat requirements and behavioral patterns for 19+ species.

Developer Docs

Installation, configuration, API reference, and technical documentation for contributors and modpack creators.

Research & Citations

Scientific papers, behavioral algorithms, and research methodology behind the mod’s AI systems.

Quick Links

Animal Behaviors Overview - Complete guide to all animal behaviors
Installation Guide - Get up and running in 5 minutes
Behavior System - Technical deep dive for developers
Scientific Research - Papers and citations

What Makes This Different?

Traditional Minecraft AI uses simple random walks and basic state machines. Better Ecology implements research-backed algorithms:

Flocking: Boids algorithm for cohesive group movement (Reynolds, 1987)
Pack Hunting: Coordinated predation with role assignment
Herding: Quorum-based collective decision making
Territoriality: Breeding territory establishment and defense
Crepuscular Activity: Time-based behavioral shifts (dawn/dusk behaviors)

Animals make decisions based on their environment, social context, and biological drives. The result is a living, breathing ecosystem that feels natural and engaging.

Requirements

Component	Version
Minecraft	1.21.1
Java	21
Fabric Loader	0.15+
Fabric API	Current

Ready to see what Minecraft animals can really do? Jump into the Player Wiki or start installing the mod.