Dropbear

Dropbear Hanging Near Top of Tree

A Dropbear is the most (and currently only) dangerous ground animal in the game. A single dropbear won't cause significant trouble for a healthy Blockhead. They can cause problems for the wounded or when multiple dropbears are encountered. Fortunately, they are nocturnal creatures that hang out near the tops of trees when not active. They are sometimes found on the ground when traveling between trees, but seldom during the day. Their eyes glow at night, making them easier to avoid.

Glowing Dropbear Eyes

Take care not to sleep or meditate when near trees and when logging or burning down trees. Check for dropbear inhabitants first.

Dropbear Logging Accident

Where Found

Dropbears seem to spawn near pine trees. They can also be seen up on the trunk of other types of trees.

Behavior

During the day, a dropbear prefers to remain clinging to the trunk of a tree, often near or at the top. If for any reason one ends up on the ground, it will search for a suitable tree to climb. They will share a tree with another dropbear.

At night, dropbears may prowl along the ground in forests and almost always quickly descend and attack a Blockhead passing underneath, after which they'll climb back up their tree.

They will not climb up or down more than a one-block change in ground level at any time, which may result in a dropbear becoming trapped where there is no tree.

A dropbear in a tree will not attack a Blockhead coming to attack it during the day, but may lash out at one just passing by.

Health

See also: Creature Hit Chart

Fighting dropbears is usually a matter of hitting them four (4) times with a fist, two with most tools, or once with a steel sword. A non-fatal strike will usually prompt a retaliatory attack and then the dropbear will retreat to the highest point on the current tree or one nearby (if it was a ground encounter).

Uses

Killing a dropbear can result in leather and/or fur being dropped. These items can also be found at the base of a tree when a drop bear dies of natural causes.

Trivia

• There is no real world "dropbear."[1] The name is used for a fictional creature supposedly living in Australia that resembles a large, carnivorous koala.[2]