Animals of Skyrim

Before we shall delve in details, let it be noted that almost any animal (with the exception of domesticated) might be infected with potent diseases that could even cause a mighty warrior to decay within days. Thus, I can only advise you to have the means at hand to cure such vile afflictions, as they can affect the victim’s body almost immediately after the contraction, as they posses a truly unique magical nature.

Index

Table of contents

1. Domesticated animals
   1. Chicken
   2. Dog
   3. Cow
   4. Goat
   5. Horse
   6. Husky
2. Wild prey
   1. Ash Hopper
   2. Small Deer
   3. Deer
   4. Vale Deer
   5. Small Elk
   6. Elk
   7. Wild Goat
   8. Rabbit
   9. Mammoth
   10. Bristleback
3. Predators
   1. Skeevers
   2. Horkers
      1. Horker Youngling
      2. Horker
   3. Wolves
      1. Wolf
      2. Ice Wolf
      3. Pit Wolf
   4. Mudcrabs
      1. Small
      2. Large
      3. Giant
   5. Bears
      1. Shared
      2. Standard
      3. Cave
      4. Snow
   6. Cats
      1. Standard
      2. Snow
      3. Vale
   7. SlaughterFish
      1. Standard
      2. Huge
      3. Giant

Domesticated animals

Domesticated animals are usually found in camps, villages, cities or occasionally wandering about alone. If these animals are harmed or stolen (in the case of horses), the Dragonborn will earn a bounty in that hold or city.

Chicken

Basic Stats

Dog

Basic Stats

Cow

Basic Stats

Goat

Basic Stats

Resistances

Horse

Basic Stats

Husky

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

Wild prey

Wild prey are usually not hostile unless attacked or if one gets to close.

Ash Hopper

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

Resistances

Small Deer

Basic Stats

Deer

Basic Stats

Vale Deer

Basic Stats

Small Elk

Basic Stats

Elk

Basic Stats

Wild Goat

Size Variations

Basic Stats

Resistances

Rabbit

Basic Stats

Fox & Snow Fox

Basic Stats

Resistances - Snow Fox Only

Mammoth

Mammoths are found a plenty on the plains of Skyrim, either roaming the land wildly or being domesticated by the local giants. They’re most likely the biggest animals that walk the landscape, and their steps can make the very earth tremble. Their thick skin and pure mass of muscles and strong bones gives them exceptionally high resistances to damage of all sorts, and common arrows most likely won’t do them much harm as they hardly can injure important organs - because of this, they’re best killed by fighting them in groups or luring them into traps like spike pits. It is highly advisable to not engage in melee combat, as a single blow of their mighty tusks can penetrate armor easily and impale even a hardened orcish veteran.

Basic Stats

Resistances

Weapon Protection

Bristleback

Basic Stats

Predators

Skeevers

Looking somewhat like the giant rats that dwell in Cyrodiil, Morrowind, Highrock and other provinces, Skeevers are the representation of these creatures in the land of Skyrim. They are rather small and a little skittish and will only prove to be a nuisance for anyone who can (and does) carry a weapon of any sort.

Basic Stats

---

Horkers

Horkers are a common form of life at Skyrim’s coasts. Their appearance is somewhat hard to describe, as no similar creature has ever been seen in all of Tamriel. They’re very slow beings that only attack when feeling threatened - although they can be fought very easily with ranged weaponry because of their lack of fast movement, one should not dare to underestimate the force of their tusks, as they certainly are capable of killing a human-like being with just a few blows. Also, their body is very durable, consisting of thick layers of muscles and fat, which makes them die rather slowly if not hit very powerfully. Whatever way one chooses to approach them, it should be mentioned that their fat can be used as a substitute for troll fat, as they basically share the same magical properties.

Horker Youngling

Basic Stats

Resistances

Horker

Size Variations

Basic Stats

Resistances

Additional Perks

• Waterbreathing

Weaknesses

• These guys are slow as all hell. Just go in close to bait an attack, dodge or block and than attack. rinse and repeat

Wolves

Probably the most common creature in Skyrim’s forests and tundra, the Wolf is a dangerous beast that moves very fast and can kill with a few strong bites, but even a novice in the arts of combat should have no great challenge to kill one or two of them. However, if they are attacking in packs, they’ll try to outmaneuver their prey, which can prove to be fatal to even more experienced adventurers - it is crucial to look out for them, and if possible, kill them with ranged weaponry.

Just before they leap, dodge to the side. Its tricky at first but with practice you can do it almost everytime. If not you can try to bash them mid air.

Wolf

Size Variations

Basic Stats

---

Ice Wolf

Size Variations

Basic Stats

Resistances

---

Pit Wolf

Basic Stats

Mudcrabs

As in many other provinces, mudcrabs can also be found in Skyrim, though their appearance differs from those that dwell in the lands of Cyrodiil and Morrowind, as their carapaces tend to be blue-grey and lack the common green-brown tone. Depending on their age, Skyrim’s mudcrabs can be found in many sizes, from very small to very large, though they rarely become any bigger. Although there are claims of at least one mudcrab being as tall as a house in Skyrim’s northern coast regions, these most likely are fairytales. Their size determines their overall strength in combat - the bigger they are, the harder they are to kill and the harder they hit. When facing them, magical damage is the best way to deal with them, as their very hard carapaces provide an exceptional amount of protection that will withstand most common weapons. If magic is not available, a skilled warrior might also try a mace or some other form of blunt weapon, as the sheer force of such blows can damage the internal organs of these creatures, rendering their protection practically useless.

Small

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

---

Large

Basic Stats

Resistances

Weapon Protection

---

Giant

Basic Stats

Resistances

Weapon Protection

Bears

Skyrim is home of many bears, with many variations depending on the given territory. As worldly creatures, they do not possess any magical traits worth mentioning - however, any wanderer should show the greatest amount of caution when close to these beasts, as they can run very fast - faster than one might think! And they certainly are able to tear an unarmored foe to shreds if they are able to hit them with their sharp claws. The best way to deal with them certainly is through magic or another form of ranged combat. It also should be noticed that some of their intestines, especially their hearts, can be used in alchemical experiments, as can their claws.

Shared

Resistances

Weapon Protection

Standard

Basic Stats

---

Cave

Basic Stats

---

Snow

Basic Stats

Resistances

Cats

Sabrecats are a terror to behold, as they’re both fast and deadly - although they do not withstand as many blows as bears, they still are hard to kill if they’re not surprised by the attacker. They should only be approached by experienced hunters, as they’ll tear anyone to shreds who is unfortunate enough to be exposed to their claws.

They have a knockdown charge attack that you must dodge or block because they will kill you quickly as you get up.

The snow ones like jumpscares - you have been warned.

Standard

Size Variations

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

---

Snow

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

Resistances

---

Vale

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

SlaughterFish

As they can be found in many provinces, Slaughterfish are also a common sight in Skyrim’s waters. Their teeth are as sharp as they are anywhere else, though, and can tear flesh from bone effortlessly. It’s highly advised not to venture too far into these waters - if it’s necessary, they should be lured to a good position and then be dispatched with arrows. The best option is, however, to blast them to smitherines with a fireball or something similar, as these creatures generally die rather quickly. A rather rare form of this specimen, the giant slaughterfish, has been reported to be seen from time to time in the lands of Skyrim, though they generally can only be found in the oceans. These monstrosities are a whole other form of challenge, as they can even destroy entire ships with their gigantic jaws. Those who are unfortunate enough to face such things most likely are about to be swallowed whole.

Standard

Basic Stats

Huge

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

Resistances

Giant

Basic Stats

Weapon Protection

Resistances

---