diff --git a/api.lua b/api.lua
index c3f0a21..b94bd3b 100644
--- a/api.lua
+++ b/api.lua
@@ -3,7 +3,7 @@
 
 mobs = {}
 mobs.mod = "redo"
-mobs.version = "20171009"
+mobs.version = "20171013"
 
 
 -- Intllib
@@ -1685,7 +1685,7 @@ local do_states = function(self, dtime)
 		or self.attack:get_hp() <= 0
 		or (self.attack:is_player() and mobs.invis[ self.attack:get_player_name() ]) then
 
-			--print(" ** stop attacking **", dist, self.view_range)
+--			print(" ** stop attacking **", dist, self.view_range)
 			self.state = "stand"
 			set_velocity(self, 0)
 			set_animation(self, "stand")
@@ -1710,29 +1710,28 @@ local do_states = function(self, dtime)
 
 			yaw = set_yaw(self.object, yaw)
 
-			if dist > self.reach then
+			-- start timer when inside reach
+			if dist < self.reach and not self.v_start then
+				self.v_start = true
+				self.timer = 0
+				self.blinktimer = 0
+--				print ("=== explosion timer started", self.explosion_timer)
+			end
 
-				if not self.v_start then
-
-					self.v_start = true
-					set_velocity(self, self.run_velocity)
-					self.timer = 0
-					self.blinktimer = 0
-				else
-					self.timer = 0
-					self.blinktimer = 0
-
-					set_velocity(self, self.run_velocity)
-				end
-
-				if self.animation and self.animation.run_start then
-					set_animation(self, "run")
-				else
-					set_animation(self, "walk")
-				end
-			else
+			-- walk right up to player when timer active
+			if dist < 1.5 and self.v_start then
 				set_velocity(self, 0)
-				set_animation(self, "punch")
+			else
+				set_velocity(self, self.run_velocity)
+			end
+
+			if self.animation and self.animation.run_start then
+				set_animation(self, "run")
+			else
+				set_animation(self, "walk")
+			end
+
+			if self.v_start then
 
 				self.timer = self.timer + dtime
 				self.blinktimer = (self.blinktimer or 0) + dtime
@@ -1750,7 +1749,9 @@ local do_states = function(self, dtime)
 					self.blinkstatus = not self.blinkstatus
 				end
 
-				if self.timer > 3 then
+--				print ("=== explosion timer", self.timer)
+
+				if self.timer > self.explosion_timer then
 
 					local pos = self.object:get_pos()
 					local radius = self.explosion_radius or 1
@@ -2734,6 +2735,7 @@ minetest.register_entity(name, {
 	pathfinding = def.pathfinding,
 	immune_to = def.immune_to or {},
 	explosion_radius = def.explosion_radius,
+	explosion_timer = def.explosion_timer or 3,
 	custom_attack = def.custom_attack,
 	double_melee_attack = def.double_melee_attack,
 	dogshoot_switch = def.dogshoot_switch,
diff --git a/api.txt b/api.txt
index cfbf50d..6a619a1 100644
--- a/api.txt
+++ b/api.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-MOB API (15th September 2017)
+MOB API (13th October 2017)
 
 The mob api is a function that can be called on by other mods to add new animals or monsters into minetest.
 
@@ -88,6 +88,7 @@ This functions registers a new mob as a Minetest entity.
         'custom_attack' when set this function is called instead of the normal mob melee attack, parameters are (self, to_attack)
         'double_melee_attack' if false then api will choose randomly between 'punch' and 'punch2' attack animations
         'explosion_radius' radius of explosion attack (defaults to 1)
+        'explosion_timer' number of seconds before mob explodes while still inside view range.
         'arrow' if the attack_type is "shoot" or "dogshoot" then the entity name of a pre-defined arrow is required, see below for arrow definition.
         'shoot_interval' the minimum shoot interval
         'shoot_offset' +/- value to position arrow/fireball when fired
diff --git a/api_new.txt b/api_new.txt
index 9d76ade..41a4bc8 100644
--- a/api_new.txt
+++ b/api_new.txt
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 
-Mobs Redo API (last updated 25th Sep 2017)
+Mobs Redo API (last updated 13th Oct 2017)
 ==========================================
 
 Welcome to the world of mobs in minetest and hopefully an easy guide to defining
@@ -87,6 +87,8 @@ functions needed for the mob to work properly which contains the following:
                          when inside view_range.
       'explode'          causes mob to explode when inside reach.
    'explosion_radius'    has the radius of the explosion which defaults to 1.
+   'explosion_timer'     number of seconds before mob explodes while still
+                         inside view range.
    'arrow'               holds the pre-defined arrow object to shoot when
                          attacking.
    'dogshoot_switch'     allows switching between attack types by using timers