Skyrim contains many passive creatures, creatures that are completely unable to attack or harm you. Technically, these are not even true creatures, but are more similar to scenery: animated effects that can be activated (typically yielding an ingredient or food), but have no other activities.
Aquatic CreaturesEdit
Fish can be found in most large bodies of water. Look for insects flying above the water to find fish below. Several species can be farmed with Hearthfire by using the Fish Hatchery at Windstad Manor. The following fish yield items of the same name unless otherwise noted.
Abacean LongfinEdit
Abacean Longfins [sic] yield Abecean longfins, an alchemy ingredient.
AngelfishCCEdit
Angelfish yield Angelfish, an alchemy ingredient. Two can be found in a pond in Ancestor GladeDG.
Anglerfish LarvaeCCEdit
Anglerfish Larvae yield Angler Larvae, an alchemy ingredient. They can be found in deep cold waters off the northern coast, such as Pilgrim's Trench.
AnglerfishCCEdit
Anglerfish yield Angler, a food source. Only a single Anglerfish can be found in the wild, located beneath a rocky overhang in the depths of Pilgrim's Trench.
Arctic CharCCEdit
Arctic Chars yield Arctic Char, a food source. They can be found swimming at Hela's Folly and Pilgrim's Trench.
Arctic GraylingCCEdit
Arctic Graylings yield Arctic Grayling, a food source. They can be found swimming at Pilgrim's Trench as well as under some ice sheets near a rock pointing above the ocean to the south of an island directly north of the Dawnstar Sanctuary.
Brook BassCCEdit
Brook Bass yield Brook Bass, a food source. They can be found swimming in many temperate streams and rivers, as well as in Riften Fishery
CarpCCEdit
Carp yield Carp, a food source. They can be found in many locations, including off the Solitude Docks.
CatfishCCEdit
Catfish yield Catfish, a food source. They can be found swimming in Lake Geir, in the waters surrounding Geirmund's Hall.
ClamEdit
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Clams yield clam meat, which is food, not an ingredient. In the base game, it can only be eaten raw, unlike other raw food in Skyrim which can be cooked. However, with the Hearthfire add-on, clam meat is one of four items needed to cook clam chowder. They are most commonly found in the Sea of Ghosts.
CodCCEdit
Cod yield Cod, a food source. They can be found swimming in various cold waters, including off the edge of the Windhelm docks.
Cyrodilic SpadetailEdit
Cyrodilic Spadetails yield Cyrodilic spadetails, an alchemy ingredient.
DirefishCCEdit
Direfish yield Direfish, a food source. They can be found swimming in the waters of Broken Oar Grotto.
Glass CatfishCCEdit
Glass Catfish yield Glass Catfish, a food source. They are found in the waters of Blackreach.
GlassfishCCEdit
Glassfish yield Glassfish, an alchemy ingredient. They are found in the waters of Blackreach.
GoldfishCCEdit
Goldfish yield Goldfish, an alchemy ingredient. They can be found in various small pools, including the one in front of the entrance to Stony Creek Cave.
HistcarpEdit
Histcarp yield histcarp, an alchemy ingredient.
Juvenile MudcrabCCEdit
Juvenile Mudcrabs can usually only be encountered as an alchemy ingredient. However, one can also be seen in a fish tank in Riften Fishery.
Lyretail AnthiasCCEdit
Lyretail Anthias yield Lyretail Anthias, an alchemy ingredient. They are found in the waters of Evergreen Grove.
Nordic Barnacle ClusterEdit
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Nordic Barnacle Clusters yield Nordic barnacles. You can find them everywhere in Skyrim but especially in Lake Honrich, Lake Ilinalta and in all icy waters in the north of Skyrim.
Pearl OysterDBEdit
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Pearl Oysters yield pearls and small pearls, which are ingredients. Pearl oysters only appear on the island of Solstheim and can be found along most of its shoreline. Pearl oysters are visually different from clams in that they are more grey-colored, while clams are more brown.
PearlfishCCEdit
Pearlfish yield Pearlfish, an alchemy ingredient. They can be found in various cold water locations, such as off the docks in Raven Rock.
PogfishCCEdit
Pogfish yield Pogfish, a food source. They can be found in various temperate rivers and streams.
These fish were first mentioned in The Infernal City.
Pygmy SunfishCCEdit
Pygmy Sunfish yield Pygmy Sunfish, an alchemy ingredient. They can be found in various pools, including the sulfur pools south of Kynesgrove.
River BettyEdit
River Betties yield river betties, an alchemy ingredient.
SalmonEdit
Salmon are found swimming in the rivers and seas of Skyrim and are often seen jumping out of the water to ascend waterfalls and rapids. Catching salmon yields salmon meat which is food, not an alchemical ingredient, as all other species of fish are. While the other species of fish tend to swim near the surface of bodies of water, salmon may be seen either near the surface or in the depths. Salmon may be shot with an arrow (or killed with various shouts) to make them easier to catch, then collected by using the action key. However, the prompt to do so may not come up. With the Hearthfire add-on installed, salmon roe may be harvested from leaping salmon found in streams, or swimming salmon the player kills, but not from pre-existing dead salmon.
The Fishing Creation adds salmon as an item, allowing them to be transported alive if caught.
Scorpion FishCCEdit
Scorpion Fish yield Scorpion Fish, a food source. They can be found in a pool inside Darkfall CaveDG, nearest the entrance.
Silverside PerchEdit
Silverside Perch yield silverside perch, an alchemy ingredient.
Slaughterfish Egg NestEdit
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Slaughterfish Egg Nests yield slaughterfish eggs. Note that slaughterfish themselves are hostile creatures, and are documented elsewhere.
SpadefishCCEdit
Spadefish yield Spadefish, an alchemy ingredient. They can be found in various rivers and pools, including in the river leading away from Markarth, at the base of the series of waterfalls.
Tripod SpiderfishCCEdit
Tripod Spiderfish yield Tripod Spiderfish, a food source. They live at the bottom of subterranean bodies of water, such as the waters of Blackreach.
Vampire FishCCEdit
Vampire Fish yield Vampire Fish, a food source. They can be found in various vampire related locations, such as the waters surrounding Castle VolkiharDG.
FoodEdit
These animals are found dead, usually hanging upside down near a fire or in the wilderness.
Charred SkeeverEdit
Charred Skeevers are found around bonfires, typically in bandit camps or giant camps. They yield charred skeever hide when activated.
Horker (dead)DBEdit
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A hanging horker can be found in Skaal Village. It yields three samples of horker meat.
PheasantEdit
Hanging pheasants yield pheasant breasts.
Rabbit (dead)Edit
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Hanging rabbits yield raw rabbit legs. Live rabbits are non-hostile creatures, and are documented elsewhere.
Salmon (dead)Edit
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Hanging salmon, just like live salmon, yields salmon meat.
InsectsEdit
Despite their small size, insects are capable of pushing you and other NPCs around. Harvesting is also possible by using melee attacks, ranged attacks, or Unrelenting Force on the target insect. Ingredients must then be collected from the ground.
Ancestor MothDGEdit
Ancestor Moths are added by the Dawnguard add-on, and can be harvested to yield ancestor moth wings. Several swarms can be found in Ancestor Glade, however they are not lootable; you must find the moths that land on the flora instead.
AntsEdit
Large numbers of ants can be found crossing several tree stumps around Skyrim, such as the one next to the grindstone at Half-Moon Mill. They cannot be interacted with in any way, and are purely aesthetic.
BeeEdit
Bees are found in and around their beehives, usually hanging in trees. Beehives can be harvested to yield bees, beehive husks, and honeycomb. Vacant beehives will only yield bees and beehive husks.
Bliss BugCCEdit
Bliss Bugs are added by the Saints & Seducers Creation, and can be harvested to yield a Bliss Bug Thorax. The majority of them can be found within the Solitude Sewers, although a few appear elsewhere, such as at Staada's camp south of The Katariah, or on the small volcanic island west of the Earth Stone. Due to the way they're randomized, it's possible for Bliss Bugs not to appear at any given location.
Blue ButterflyEdit
Blue Butterflies can be found during the day; each insect yields two blue butterfly wings.
DragonflyEdit
Dragonflies yield blue dartwings or orange dartwings. They can be found during the day, often over water.
Green ButterflyCCEdit
Green Butterflies are added by the Saints & Seducers Creation, and can be harvested to yield Green Butterfly Wings. The majority of them can be found within the Solitude Sewers, although a few appear elsewhere, such as at Staada's camp south of The Katariah, or on the Isle of Basalt west of the Earth Stone. Due to the way they're randomized, it's possible for Green Butterflies not to appear at any given location.
Luna MothEdit
Luna Moths can be found at night; each insect yields two luna moth wings.
Monarch ButterflyEdit
Monarch Butterflies can be found during the day; each insect yields two butterfly wings.
Purple ButterflyCCEdit
Purple Butterflies are added by the Saints & Seducers Creation, and can be harvested to yield Purple Butterfly Wings. The majority of them can be found within the Solitude Sewers, although a few appear elsewhere, such as at Staada's camp south of The Katariah, or on the Isle of Basalt west of the Earth Stone. Due to the way they're randomized, it's possible for Purple Butterflies not to appear at any given location.
TorchbugEdit
Torchbugs can be found at night; each insect yields a torchbug thorax.
Other CreaturesEdit
BatsEdit
Bats are found flying in caves and dungeons, traveling in groups. They are a visual effect of no significance to gameplay other than adding ambiance. Vampire LordsDG can transform into a cloud of bats, or use bats to attack enemies in combat. A very large swarm of bats can also be encountered in a world event, at night.
BirdsEdit
Flocks of birds can sometimes be seen fleeing from treetops when disturbed. They are a visual effect of no significance to gameplay other than adding ambiance.
They appear to be red-winged blackbirds.
Bone HawkDGEdit
Bone Hawks are variants of hawks that are added by the Dawnguard add-on and are found flying around Castle Volkihar. Their body is similar to a regular hawk's, but their head is an exposed skull and their bodies are darker. When shot down, they yield one bone hawk claw, two bone hawk feathers and one bone hawk skull.
Bone hawks can be killed only once. Once they respawn, they become invincible.
Cave WormDGEdit
Bio-luminescent tube worms found in the Forgotten Vale. They act as a light source until approached, at which point they retract into their tubes. The Official Prima Guide erroneously refers to them as "luminous fungus plants" however their internal name reveals they are intended to be "Cave Worms". Their resemblance to real-life tube worms is also evidence of their intended nature.
Dwarven Drone FlyCCEdit
Dwarven Drone Flies are animunculi found in Runoff Caverns, specifically the Spring's Symphony subsection within the Dwarven ruins of Vardnknd. They cannot be interacted with. It is possible to find your own Dwarven Drone Fly within the ruins, which acts as an item but can be temporarily summoned as a follower.
Egg SacsEdit
Egg Sacs are found in dungeons and can be harvested to yield chaurus eggs. There are also frostbite spider egg sacs (displayed as singular "Egg Sac"), but these are containers rather than activators.
Felsaad TernDBEdit
Felsaad Terns are variants of hawks that are added by the Dragonborn add-on and are found flying around Solstheim. Their body is similar to a regular hawk's, but with white feathers. When shot down, they yield one to three Felsaad tern feathers.
HawkEdit
Hawks are birds seen flying around Skyrim. They can be shot down, yielding hawk beaks and hawk feathers; those pages provide details on where hawks can be found.
They can be killed with magic (including non-damaging spells like Courage), a few shouts (e.g. Animal Allegiance, Soul Tear, and Kyne's Peace), or shot with an arrow, although this may fling out of sight, as they are very light. If the body flies too far, the arrow can detach from the body and instead fly up into the sky.
Hawks will have a nest nearby that they return to from time to time. A good strategy is to attack hawks when they are in their nests using a low power spell such as Flames, rather than Fireballs or arrows, to keep their bodies from being flung out of sight.
At one point Hawks could be killed only once. Once they respawned, they became invincible. As of current patches the Hawks activators will respawn on the same standard 10 day cycle as everything else.[verification needed — see talk page]
In Solitude, a hawk passes very close to the middle of the bridge between the towers that lead to the Emperor's guest quarters. If you wait about 30 seconds, its circling flight pattern will bring it closer, whereupon it can be killed with a close range weapon like a sword.
ShellbugDGEdit
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Shellbugs are rare creatures that can't be killed with conventional methods, and are the source of the rare shellbug chitin. To obtain the chitin you need to mine it from the creature with a pickaxe; doing so will result in its death when fully mined. They can be found in Forgotten Vale Cave and Sharpslope Cave. According to the Prima guide, Shellbugs are beasts bred by Falmer for their hard coatings.
Silt StriderDBEdit
Silt Striders are giant arthropods often used by the Dunmer of Morrowind as transportation within their hollow shells. One, named Dusty, has been added by the Dragonborn add-on, and can be found on Solstheim in the outskirts of Tel Mithryn, southwest of the Sun Stone. However, she is not currently available for traveling services. The silt strider cannot be harmed by any spells or weapons.
Whispering SpiritDGEdit
Whispering Spirits are invulnerable wisp-like creatures you can find within the Soul Cairn. Some follow set routes, and some seem to just fly around randomly. You are unable to interact with them yourself in any way, as any attack has no effect on them. Despite this, Bonemen, Wrathmen, and Mistmen will all give chase to these creatures, either by running after and trying to attack them, or using ranged attacks. This can provide both a humorous sight, and a helpful distraction if you come across already present enemies. They only chase the spirits before detecting you, after which they will continue after the spirit for a short time before turning their attention to you.
Note that unlike other passive creatures listed here, whispering spirits are technically true creatures, as opposed to animated activators. They are similar to wisps, hostile ethereal monsters which accompany wispmothers. The name "Whispering Spirit" is taken from the game's data files, as the creature's name is never seen in game.
Wisp-LanternDBEdit
Wisp-Lanterns are passive denizens of Apocrypha found floating through the fetid air of that realm. These living lanterns cannot be interacted with, and are not actually creatures at all. In the game data they are simply identified as MovingLight objects; the name "Wisp-Lantern" is taken from The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim: Prima Official Game Guide. The only time you need concern yourself with them is in areas of Apocrypha where the darkness is dangerous, namely Filament and Filigree and The Sallow Regent; in these areas, the light provided by these lanterns will protect you from the health damage caused by the darkness.
NotesEdit
- When harvesting passive creatures with shouts (fish, insects) for food/alchemy ingredients, note that insects (or their parts) fall when killed, but fish (of all types) float. This can hamper ingredient gathering over bodies of water, as the insects will sink to the bottom and be difficult to find, due to their tiny sizes.
- Salmon killed either by archery or shouts will not have any activation prompt to gather them, though you will still be able to when hovering the crosshairs over them and pressing the activation button.
- Despite their tiny sizes, insects can shove the player character around, if they happen to bump into them. You can also "ride" moths and butterflies if you can jump on one as it lands, and before it takes off: you will float off into the sky a few feet before falling back to the ground.
- There are at most 69 hawks in the base game, judging by how 69 different entities link to the container that holds a hawk's death drops in the Creation Kit.
BugsEdit
- Dead hawks are not properly cleaned up during cell resets because they have no delete script.
The Unofficial Skyrim Patch, version 1.3.0, fixes this bug.
- The Abecean Longfin activator is misspelled "Abacean Longfin".
- The Unofficial Skyrim Patch fixes this bug.
- Salmon may be immune to damage from arrows and shouts (to harvest Salmon Roe), no matter if they're on the surface of the water or feet deep. ?
- In shallower pools of water, fish (like Histcarp) might swim through solid ground on their swim paths. Fish (notably salmon) might also swim up through the air a short distance before going back into the water. Note that this behavior is not the same as jumping salmon at waterfalls. ?
