Based on their in-game behavior, Wither Skeletons specifically do not like wolves and will flee from them.
Wither Skeleton Behavior Explained
Wither Skeletons are hostile mobs found exclusively in Nether Fortresses. Their actions are primarily driven by aggression towards certain entities and avoidance of others.
According to game mechanics:
Wither skeletons wander aimlessly when idle, but sprint to attack players, snow golems, iron golems, baby turtles, piglins, and piglin brutes. They flee from wolves but retaliate if attacked.
This quote clearly outlines their aggressive targets and their one primary avoidance target.
Entities Wither Skeletons Attack
When a Wither Skeleton detects one of the following entities within range, it will actively pursue and attack:
- Players: The most common target.
- Snow Golems: Even passive utility mobs can be targets.
- Iron Golems: Powerful utility mobs are also seen as threats or targets.
- Baby Turtles: Surprisingly, even these small, vulnerable creatures are attacked.
- Piglins: Neutral residents of the Nether.
- Piglin Brutes: Hostile variants of Piglins.
What Makes Wither Skeletons Flee?
Unlike their aggressive stance towards many mobs, Wither Skeletons exhibit a clear avoidance behavior towards a specific entity:
- Wolves: Wither Skeletons will actively flee from wolves. This suggests a fear or strong dislike of these canine creatures.
It's important to note that while they flee from wolves, the reference states they will retaliate if a wolf attacks them first. So, passive avoidance is their default behavior towards wolves, but they aren't completely defenseless.
Summary of Wither Skeleton Interactions
Here's a quick overview of who Wither Skeletons interact with:
| Behavior | Target Entities |
|---|---|
| Attack | Players, Snow Golems, Iron Golems, Baby Turtles, Piglins, Piglin Brutes |
| Flee From | Wolves |
| Retaliate If Attacked By | Wolves |
| Wander Aimlessly | When idle (no target detected) |
Practical Insights
Knowing that Wither Skeletons flee from wolves can be a useful piece of information for players in the Nether. For instance:
- A tamed wolf could potentially act as a deterrent or even a form of defense against approaching Wither Skeletons, causing them to back away instead of attacking the player.
- Observing Wither Skeletons suddenly fleeing might indicate the presence of a wolf nearby (though wolves are rare in the Nether biome itself, this interaction is part of the mob's general behavior).
In conclusion, while Wither Skeletons are aggressive towards many creatures, their distinct reaction of fleeing from wolves is the primary indicator of what they dislike or fear.
