DayZ Badlands Will Add Territorial Dogs and a Desert Monitor Lizard
Mouflon will also arrive in Nasdara, while the lizard can be hunted for food and the dogs will guard fixed locations instead of roaming.
DayZ Badlands will give Nasdara three new types of wildlife, including territorial dogs that guard military locations and a desert monitor lizard that can become a source of food. Mouflon will also roam the expansion’s mountains and steppes. Bohemia Interactive had already confirmed that regional wildlife was planned for the October 15 launch in the October 15 launch plan, without identifying the animals.
Bohemia Interactive detailed the animals in its Week 86 Steam dev blog, which also asks players to wishlist the expansion. Badlands remains scheduled to arrive on October 15, 2026, although the studio warned that its features can still change before launch.
Dogs will guard military locations
Dogs will become DayZ’s first territorial animal. Unlike wolves, which roam as predators, these packs will stay near specific locations, with military zones serving as the main example. Entering their territory will bring an attack, though Bohemia Interactive plans to create more layered behavior later. That work does not have a timeline yet.
Two breeds will appear in Nasdara, the Doberman and the German Shepherd, with several variations between them. Players will not be able to tame the dogs or keep them as companions. Their role is closer to a dangerous environmental obstacle than a potential pet.
The desert monitor will fit Nasdara’s dry regions
Nasdara’s desert monitor lizard may be DayZ’s first reptile. The animal will mostly inhabit the Dasht-e Sarman Desert and nearby areas, then quickly flee after noticing a survivor. Players will be able to hunt it for food, while Bohemia is leaving other possible rewards for players to discover.
Designer Jana Unzeitigová led the initial behavior research, while the art process focused on keeping the creature’s size believable for the world. The team also studied scale patterns, coloration, and camouflage. Its scales are slightly larger than those of a real desert monitor so players can spot the animal more easily, while the model still aims to represent a genuine desert varanus species.
The dev blog also includes an animation breakdown of the desert monitor.
Which new animal would you rather encounter in Nasdara, a guarded dog pack or a fleeing desert monitor? Share your choice in the comments, and follow us on X, Bluesky, YouTube, Instagram, Steam, and Telegram.
