diff --git a/api.lua b/api.lua
index ff22ff9..2c0294f 100644
--- a/api.lua
+++ b/api.lua
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ end
 -- Global table
 
 mobs = {
-	mod = "redo", version = "20250201",
+	mod = "redo", version = "20250204",
 	spawning_mobs = {}, translate = S,
 	node_snow = has(minetest.registered_aliases["mapgen_snow"])
 			or has("mcl_core:snow") or has("default:snow") or "air",
@@ -1382,6 +1382,35 @@ function mob_class:replace(pos)
 	end
 end
 
+-- look directly around mob to see if it can pickup any dropped items
+
+function mob_class:check_item_pickup(pos)
+
+	if not self.on_pick_up or not self.pick_up or #self.pick_up == 0 then return end
+
+	for _,o in pairs(minetest.get_objects_inside_radius(pos, 2)) do
+
+		local l = o:get_luaentity()
+
+		if l and l.name == "__builtin:item" then
+
+			for k,v in pairs(self.pick_up) do
+
+				if self.on_pick_up and l.itemstring:find(v) then
+
+					local r = self.on_pick_up(self, l)
+
+					if r and r.is_empty and not r:is_empty() then
+						l.itemstring = r:to_string()
+					elseif r and r.is_empty and r:is_empty() then
+						o:remove()
+					end
+				end
+			end
+		end
+	end
+end
+
 -- check if daytime and also if mob is docile during daylight hours
 
 function mob_class:day_docile()
@@ -3169,6 +3198,9 @@ function mob_class:on_step(dtime, moveresult)
 
 		-- node replace check (cow eats grass etc.)
 		self:replace(pos)
+
+		-- dropped item pickup check
+		self:check_item_pickup(pos)
 	end
 
 	-- knockback timer
@@ -3328,6 +3360,8 @@ function mobs:register_mob(name, def)
 		replace_what = def.replace_what,
 		replace_with = def.replace_with,
 		replace_offset = def.replace_offset,
+		pick_up = def.pick_up,
+		on_pick_up = def.on_pick_up,
 		reach = def.reach,
 		texture_list = def.textures,
 		texture_mods = def.texture_mods or "",
diff --git a/api.txt b/api.txt
index 82cda95..8b92a41 100644
--- a/api.txt
+++ b/api.txt
@@ -310,6 +310,25 @@ eating.
        properties. (DEPRECATED, use on_replace to make changes).
 
 
+Pickup Items
+------------
+
+   'pick_up'            table of itemstrings the mob will pick up.
+   'on_pick_up'         function that will be called on item pickup - arguments are
+                        (self, itemstring) and can return nil or a a modified itemstack e.g.
+
+on_pick_up = function(self, itemstring)
+
+		local istack = ItemStack(entity.itemstring)
+
+		print("-- took", istack:get_name())
+
+		istack:take_item(1)
+
+		return istack
+end,
+
+
 Custom Definition Functions
 ---------------------------
 
diff --git a/readme.MD b/readme.MD
index 2cbf867..dbbf636 100644
--- a/readme.MD
+++ b/readme.MD
@@ -31,6 +31,8 @@ https://forum.minetest.net/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=9917
 * Added {eatable} group to food items and HP in description
 * Fixed timer bug when attacking
 * Fixed fall damage check when riding mob
+* Calculate damage before do_punch function called
+* Add function to check for dropped items and for mob to do something with them
 
 ### Version 1.61