How to Breed Armadillos in Minecraft

Guide Java Bedrock

Quick answer: Feed a spider eye to each of two armadillos. A baby armadillo spawns right away, the parents need 5 minutes before breeding again (1 minute in Bedrock), and you get 1-7 XP. A rolled-up armadillo cannot eat, so wait for it to uncurl first.

What you need

Spider eyes (2 per breeding)
2 armadillos
A quiet fenced pen

Step by step

Farm spider eyes from spiders, cave spiders or witches - a spider spawner farm makes this trivial.
Find armadillos in savannas and badlands. They are skittish: sprinting players, undead mobs and riders scare them into rolling up.
Approach slowly holding a spider eye: armadillos follow you from 10 blocks away (16 in Bedrock). Lead two into a pen.
Feed a spider eye to each armadillo once both are uncurled: hearts appear and a baby spawns, plus 1-7 XP.
The parents can breed again after 5 minutes (1 minute in Bedrock). Babies grow up in 20 minutes; each spider eye you feed a baby cuts the remaining time by 10%. Brush adults gently for armadillo scutes.

Java vs Bedrock

Breeding works the same in Java and Bedrock except the parents' cooldown: 5 minutes in Java, 1 minute in Bedrock. Follow range is 10 blocks in Java and 16 in Bedrock.

Versions: Armadillos won the 2023 mob vote and were added in 1.20.5 (April 2024), bringing wolf armor with them. Spider eyes have been their only food from day one.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my armadillo eat?

A rolled-up armadillo cannot be fed or bred. It curls up when it detects a threat - sprinting players, undead, or players on mounts - so back off, crouch, and wait for it to relax and uncurl.

How do I get armadillo scutes?

Use a brush on an adult armadillo to collect one scute - it works while the armadillo is calm, and a breeding pen gives you a renewable supply. Six scutes craft one wolf armor.

Are armadillos good pets?

They take reduced damage while rolled up and are immune to nothing else - but as passive savanna mobs they mostly wander, roll up at danger and supply scutes for your wolves.