You've finally cracked open the second expansion. The Binding is weakening, the ink is flowing, and honestly, the scenery in Disney Dreamlight Valley: Storybook Vale is just stunning. But let’s be real. We aren't just here to hang out with Merida or Flynn Rider. We are here for the pets. Specifically, the Dreamlight Valley Storybook Vale critters that are currently darting through the ink-stained grass and hiding behind those giant stone looms.
Feeding them isn't always intuitive. If you’ve spent any time in the base game, you know the pain of chasing a Raccoon or trying to play red-light-green-light with a Cobra. The Vale introduces three brand-new species: Flytraps, Dragons, and Owls. Each one has a specific "vibe" and a favorite snack that isn't immediately obvious unless you're willing to sacrifice a lot of your inventory to trial and error.
The Flying Chaos of Mini Dragons
Dragons are everywhere in the Bind. You'll see them zipping around like they've had way too much espresso. They are basically the high-energy puppies of the Vale.
If you want to catch one of these Dreamlight Valley Storybook Vale critters, don't bother running. You won't win. They move in a set circular pattern. To interact with them, you have to stand directly in their flight path and wait for the "Approach" prompt to pop up as they pass. It feels a bit like waiting for a bus that might accidentally breathe fire on you.
What do they actually eat?
Dragons have expensive taste. Don't try to give them crackers. Their favorite food is Dragon Fruit. You can find these growing on bushes throughout the Bind. If you're short on those, they will settle for Chili Peppers, which makes a weird amount of sense.
There are five main variants you'll run into:
- The Classic Red Dragon: Found commonly in the Bind.
- The Blue Dragon: Usually hanging out near the water features.
- The Yellow Dragon: Loves the sunnier spots of the cliffs.
- The Silver Dragon: A bit rarer; check the higher elevations.
- The Gold Dragon: This one is the "completionist's nightmare." It only shows up on specific days, usually around the weekend.
Don't Let the Flytraps Bite
The Flytraps are located in the Everafter. These things are essentially sentient, hopping succulents. They are arguably the cutest addition to the expansion, but they are also the most skittish.
When you see a Flytrap, it will likely duck down or hop away if you sprint. You have to treat them like the Crocodiles from the Glade of Trust. Move when they are looking away or "relaxed," and stop the second they perk up. It’s a slow process. It’s annoying. But once you get close enough, they do this little wiggle that makes the frustration worth it.
Feeding the Flytraps
They are carnivores. Sorta. Their absolute favorite meal is Scorpions. You'll need to head over to the Glittering Dunes (if you have A Rift in Time) or find them in the sandy patches of the Vale to stock up. If you don't have Scorpions, Locusts are a solid backup.
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Most players struggle with the Pink Flytrap. It’s not just about finding it; it’s about the spawn timing. Like the Calico Rabbit in the base game, some of these variants are morning-exclusive. If you’re a night owl, you might never see the full roster.
The Stoic Owls of Mythopia
Mythopia is where things get classy. The Owls here don't run. They don't hide. They just judge you.
Owls are the easiest Dreamlight Valley Storybook Vale critters to approach, but they are the hardest to satisfy. They stay stationary on perches or stone pillars. You can walk right up to them. The challenge is the "Gift."
The Owl Diet
They want Nestling Pear. These grow on trees specifically within the Mythopia biome. Don't try to feed them fish. They aren't interested. They also have a strange affinity for Grapes, but if you want that "Best Friend" heart pop, stick to the pears.
The Midnight Owl is the prize here. It blends into the scenery so well that you'll likely walk past it four times before realizing those glowing eyes aren't part of a statue.
The Logistics of Taming
Getting a critter to follow you as a companion requires feeding them their favorite food multiple times. Not just once. Not even twice usually.
It typically takes two to three feedings of their favorite item (on separate days) to unlock them in your Collection. Once they are unlocked, go to your Wardrobe, select "Companions," and you can have a tiny dragon trailing behind you while you mine for iron ore.
Why the Variants Matter
Every variant has a different "schedule." Gameloft loves to make one version of every animal incredibly difficult to find.
- Check your Collection tab frequently.
- If a critter is "greyed out," it means it isn't currently in the Vale.
- Pay attention to the time of day. The "Rare" variants often show up for a 6-hour window once a week.
The Dreamlight Valley Storybook Vale critters aren't just cosmetic. Feeding them gives you rewards. Usually, it's Dream Shards or Motif Bags, but occasionally, they drop rare ingredients or even seeds that are specific to the Vale's new recipes.
Breaking the "Approach" Bugs
Sometimes the game glitches. You’ll stand in front of a Dragon and the prompt won’t appear. Or a Flytrap will stay in its "scared" animation forever.
If this happens, the best fix is usually just fast-traveling out of the biome and coming back. It resets the NPC pathing. Also, make sure you aren't holding a tool. Some critters are coded to be "scared" of the Pickaxe or the Shovel. Keep your hands empty, approach slowly, and always have a stack of Dragon Fruit in your pocket.
The Vale is big, and the ink can make tracking small movements difficult. Turn your "Screen Shake" off in the settings if the visual clutter is making it hard to spot the Flytraps in the brush.
Essential Checklist for Vale Explorers
- Stockpile the Basics: Before even looking for critters, spend thirty minutes harvesting Dragon Fruit, Nestling Pears, and Scorpions.
- Check the Clock: If you're looking for the White Owl or the Gold Dragon, Google the current "server time" for your region. Local time and game time can sometimes drift if you’ve been messing with your console’s clock (which I don’t recommend—it breaks the game).
- The "Favorite" Rule: You can only "progress" toward taming a critter once per day. Feeding a Dragon ten fruits in one sitting is just a waste of fruit.
- Manual Saves: After a successful feeding of a rare variant, force a manual save. The cloud sync can be finicky in the expansion zones.
The ink-based ecosystem of the Storybook Vale changes the way we interact with the map. These animals feel more integrated into the "lore" of the story than the squirrels in the Plaza ever did. Taking the time to unlock the Dreamlight Valley Storybook Vale critters turns the Bind and Mythopia from just "resource zones" into actual living biomes.
Start by clearing the ink near the entry points of the Bind. The Red Dragon is usually the first one you'll see, and it's the perfect "practice" target for learning the approach timing. Once you've mastered the wait-and-see method for the dragons, the skittish nature of the Flytraps will be much easier to handle. Just remember: stay still, keep your pockets full of fruit and bugs, and don't rush the process.