CurseForge · Minecraft mod
Bear Minimum
A small mod that adds more bear varieties and rebalances polar bears.
Quick answer
Which Bear Minimum release should I use?
Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar targets 1.21.1 with Forge. The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both. No extra mods listed for this file.
Where it goes
Is Bear Minimum required on the client, server, or both?
The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.
The source does not explicitly classify this release as client-only or server-only.
What else does Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar need?
Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar. Change the file and its required mods may change too.
This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.
This file does not list any required or optional mods.
Before you install it
Add Bear Minimum without breaking your instance.
Built for Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar. Pick another file and the loader, install side or required mods may change.
- 01
Stick to this file
Use Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar. It targets 1.21.1 with Forge; another release may have different loader, side or dependency requirements.
- 02
Bring the mods it needs
This file does not list any required mods. Do not add a library just because a different file uses it.
- 03
Put it on the correct side
The project page does not say whether this file belongs on the client, dedicated server, or both.
- 04
Pick the file you checked
Use the “Get this file” button beside Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar. It opens that exact file at the source.
About this project
What does Bear Minimum add?

Overview
Bear Minimum is a small mod entirely focused on adding bears. Currently, it adds two types of bears, black bears and brown bears, and rebalances the normal polar bears to better fit their impressive reputation. Bears will spawn in a variety of forested and mountainous biomes. The relatively docile black bears are found in more moderate environments, whereas the less friendly brown bears are more comfortable in rougher terrain.
Scroll down to the bottom of the page for texture packs for this mod!
Black Bears
Black bears are the smallest bear added in this mod. They are relatively friendly and will not attack players except to defend themselves or their cubs. Even though bear cubs are cute, keep a safe distance! There may be a vengeful parent nearby. Black bears can be fed a variety of sweet foods, such as honeycombs, apples, and berries. Nearby players will scare black bears away; loud noises such as goat horns will scare them even further!
If black bears are hungry, they may try to eat nearby crops. Make sure to build fences to deter them or you may find some of your crops mysteriously missing. Black bears will also eat arthropods (bugs) and rabbits (if they can catch them!).
Brown Bears
Brown bears are less friendly than black bears, but otherwise their behavior is very similar. The most notable difference is that brown bears will attack players who invade their personal space! Be careful not to blunder straight into a bear when walking through the woods. Fortunately, brown bears are also skittish and will try to avoid players - unless the players are carrying some of their favorite foods, which include berries, bread, and salmon.
Hungry brown bears may raid crops or hunt. Their prey includes arthropods, salmon, and pigs.
Polar Bears
In normal Minecraft, polar bears are quite passive. They primarily stand around and do nothing. Thus, Bear Minimum rebalances them to better live up to their fearsome real-life reputation. Polar bears receive a major health and damage boost, in addition to increased knockback resistance to match their noticeably scaled-up size. Be careful when exploring the tundras - trespass in a polar bear's proximity and you may find a mighty foe!

Items
True to its intent as a minimal mod, Bear Minimum does not add many items. Bear meat is obtained from killing polar bears, brown bears, and black bears. Cooked bear meat - as might be assumed - is obtained by cooking raw bear meat. Due to its high fat content, it is slightly less filling but more sustaining than steak.
Bear Minimum also adds bear spawn eggs for creative mode players. These are, as usual, unobtainable in survival.
Texture Packs
Vanilla-Style Textures: https://www.curseforge.com/minecraft/texture-packs/the-bear-min, by RealSamuraiLemon
Known Incompatibilities
None, at the moment.
Modpacks
Please use this mod in modpacks! I'd prefer the modpacks be created through CurseForge or Modrinth, so I can keep track of this mod's popularity, but it's not a big deal. Let me know if you'd like me to port this to another version, or add compatibility with other mods! If there are any features you think could make this mod better, please post a comment! I'd love to hear your feedback.
This mod will also be available on Modrinth, when it is approved. I do not plan on distributing this mod through any other platforms, so I cannot guarantee its safety or accuracy if you get it somewhere else.
Other Versions
I will consider porting this to other versions on request! Just let me know which version and loader you want.
Project description from CurseForge.
Pick your setup
Bear Minimum by Minecraft version and loader
Choose the version and loader you play, then open the matching release.
26.1.1
2 loader builds26.1
2 loader builds1.21.11
2 loader builds1.21.10
2 loader builds1.21.8
3 loader builds1.21.7
3 loader builds1.21.5
3 loader builds1.21.4
3 loader builds1.21.1
3 loader builds1.21
1 loader build1.20.1
2 loader buildsShowing the newest 12 of 13 game versions. Older files are in the list below.
Check the dependencies, then try the file in a copied instance before changing a world you care about.
Recent files
Bear Minimum versions and loaders
Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-fabric-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-neoforge-1.21.1-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
Bear Minimum-forge-1.21.4-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-neoforge-1.21.4-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-fabric-1.21.4-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-fabric-1.21.7-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-neoforge-1.21.7-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-fabric-1.21.10-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-neoforge-1.21.10-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-neoforge-1.21.11-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
bearminimum-fabric-1.21.11-1.0.5.jar
24 Oct 2026
Looking for an older file? The official CurseForge project page is in Resources.

