How to Complete Your Critterpedia in Animal Crossing

In Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the Critterpedia is an essential tool that tracks all the creatures you’ve caught throughout your journey on the island. Whether it’s bugs, fish, or sea creatures, the Critterpedia allows you to keep track of your progress as you work toward completing your collection. Completing the Critterpedia is a rewarding challenge that gives you a sense of accomplishment, and it can be done in a variety of ways. In this guide, we’ll provide tips and tricks on how to complete your Critterpedia in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

1. Understanding the Critterpedia

The Critterpedia is divided into three main categories:

Bugs: This section tracks the different insects that you can catch on the island, from butterflies to beetles and more.
Fish: This section keeps track of the fish species you catch while fishing in rivers, ponds, and the ocean.
Sea Creatures: These are the creatures you can find while diving underwater. They are part of the more recent updates in the game.

Each section will show you a list of creatures, with some creatures available in certain seasons, times of day, or weather conditions.

2. Plan According to the Seasons

One of the key factors in completing your Critterpedia is timing. Many critters are seasonal, meaning they only appear during certain months, or even specific times within the day. For example, in the spring, you might find a specific butterfly that won’t appear during the winter months. To catch these creatures, you need to be mindful of the current season and plan accordingly. Top 5 hidden secrets in Animal Crossing, read more here.

Bugs and Fish Availability: The availability of critters changes with each in-game month, so keep track of the new creatures that will appear in the upcoming seasons. Some critters may also appear at specific times of the day, so check your Critterpedia regularly to stay updated.
Event and Seasonal Changes: Special events such as Festivale, Halloween, or New Year’s Eve bring new creatures, so take advantage of these opportunities to complete your Critterpedia.

3. Use the In-Game Tools and Items

There are several tools and items in Animal Crossing: New Horizons that will help you catch critters more efficiently:

Fishing Rod & Net: These tools will allow you to catch fish and bugs respectively. Make sure to craft or upgrade them to ensure you have the best versions available.
Fishing Bait: You can craft Fishing Bait using manila clams you dig up on the beach. This is particularly useful when trying to catch certain fish that are elusive or rare.
Bug Net: The bug net is essential for catching flying insects and bugs found around the island. Use it to catch critters quickly, especially during bug-heavy seasons.
Dive Gear: For catching sea creatures, you’ll need a wet suit or dive gear, which is available through special events or the in-game shop.

Make sure to use these tools effectively as you go about completing your collection.

4. Location, Location, Location

Knowing where to look for critters is essential. Certain creatures can only be found in specific locations, such as rivers, ponds, or the ocean. Some critters are also tied to specific weather patterns or times of the day, making it important to pay attention to the environment.

Fish Locations: Fish can be found in various areas around your island, such as rivers, ponds, and even the ocean. Make sure to fish in different locations to catch a variety of species.
Bug Locations: Bugs can be found on trees, flowers, and around the ground. Some species of bugs prefer specific types of trees, flowers, or certain weather conditions, so be observant when hunting for them.
Sea Creatures Locations: To catch sea creatures, you’ll need to dive into the water. Dive into the sea at different points around the island, and be on the lookout for new critters that are unique to underwater exploration.

5. Track Time and Weather Conditions

Many critters only appear during certain times of day, in specific weather conditions, or at certain months. For example, some bugs are more common in the morning, while others only come out at night. Fish, too, may only appear at certain times of day or under particular weather conditions. By tracking these conditions, you can increase your chances of encountering the critters you’re missing.

Rainy Days: Some bugs and fish only appear when it’s raining, so take advantage of rainy days to catch the critters that are otherwise hard to find.
Nighttime Creatures: Many bugs, such as the Scorpion or Tarantula, only come out at night, so be sure to search after sunset to find them.
Weather Conditions: Some critters are only available when the weather conditions are just right. For example, certain fish may appear only on cloudy days.

6. Complete Your Critterpedia Using Friends and Events

If you’re missing a specific critter or need help filling in some gaps, don’t hesitate to visit friends’ islands or participate in special in-game events. Special events like Fishing Tourneys and Bug-Offs give you the opportunity to catch rarer critters or to exchange critters with friends. You can also ask friends to send you critters through the mail.

Friend Islands: Sometimes, friends may have critters on their islands that you’re missing. Visit their islands via Dodo Codes or through Online Multiplayer to trade critters and complete your collection.
Special Events: Pay attention to in-game events, as they often introduce special critters that can help complete your Critterpedia.

7. Use the Critterpedia Filters

Your Critterpedia comes equipped with helpful filters that allow you to sort critters by category, time of year, or availability. Use these filters to keep track of which critters you’ve already caught, which ones are seasonal, and which ones you still need to find.

Sorting critters by availability is especially helpful when you’re looking to catch specific creatures in a particular month or season.

Completing your Critterpedia in Animal Crossing: New Horizons is a challenging and rewarding task that requires patience, strategy, and attention to detail. By paying close attention to seasonal changes, using the right tools, and taking advantage of multiplayer and in-game events, you’ll be able to catch every critter and complete your collection in no time. Happy hunting!

For more information on critter collections, be sure to check out Fandom’s Critterpedia Guide.