Snow Golem

A Snow Golem (previously known as a Snowman) is an upcoming mob which was first mentioned by Notch on September 21st, 2011 to appear in Beta 1.9 According to the tweets by Notch. The Snow Golem is the game's first "utility mob", defined by Notch as any player created mob. You will be able to create Snow Golems, using Pumpkins and Snow Blocks. Snow Golems will throw snowballs at enemy mobs and will melt in warmer Biomes. In cold biomes, they will not melt when lava is near them, unless they fall in it. As Snow Golems move, they leave a trail of snow on the ground (but not in deserts nor in the nether). Once killed, the Snow Golem will drop multiple Snowballs.

Behavior
Snow Golems will not attack their creator. However, they will throw snowballs at hostile mobs, provoking them. This gives them an almost suicidal nature - snowballs do not do damage, but they attract enemies which can kill it or the player. On rare occasions, Snow Golems can knock aggressive Endermen into any available nearby water (making Endermen the only hostile mob they can actually kill by direct action). They could also, plausibly, kill mobs by knocking them into nearby lava pools or into cacti.

Creating
To create a Snow Golem, the player must vertically stack two Snow Blocks on the ground, then place a Pumpkin on top of it. They are not made on the Crafting Table. They are only created by the player placing the Pumpkin on the stack themselves. The player can not use such methods as Pistons or placing the Pumpkin before the Snow Blocks to create one. Snow Golems can also be created using a Jack-O-Lantern. Endermen are also capable of creating Snow Golems.

Farming
Because Snow Golems leave a constant trail of snow as they move, it is possible to farm that snow. However, due to their behavior of attacking hostile mobs, it would be wise to ensure the Snow Golem is in an enclosed, safe place before beginning. The simplest method is to create a 3x3 fence enclosing one open space in the middle. Build the Snow Golem in the open space, and begin collecting snow the Golem continuously produces.

Distraction
Snow Golems can also be used to lure hostile mobs into traps intended for them. This can create a better flow of mob drops for the player to collect, speeding up mob harvesting. This can be something such as fencing in Snow Golems just beyond the trap's entrance, having the mobs wander in as they attempt to attack the Snow Golems and dying.

The player can also fence in multiple Snow Golems 2 wide above a pit of lava 2 deep. As this won't melt them, they will be free to provoke mobs into falling into the trap, passively protecting the player's work area.

Keeping hostile mobs away
The snow golem may be used as a "Sentry" if placed on a 1x1 fence around the house, and keep Creepers from hiding near the player's house.

Bugs

 * In Beta 1.9 Pre-release, Snow Golems do not leave snow trails in Swamp and Mushroom Biomes.
 * Also in Beta 1.9 Pre-Release, Snow Golems can be built in The Nether. This would not appear to be intended, considering other forms of water either melt or evaporate there.

Trivia

 * Snow Golems are the second mob the player can create themselves. The first one is Chickens spawning from Eggs thrown by the player.
 * Notch originally planned to call this mob Snowmen. However, very soon after revealing the name, he came upon the Reddit user "Cuttleman's" entry stating he would call them Snow Golems. Notch immediately decided to change their title to this.
 * Four Snow Golems are enough power to continuously push a Zombie back.
 * On Reddit Notch referred to them as Utility Mobs.
 * Snow Golems are not affected by fall damage.
 * Snow Golems wear their Pumpkin as a hat. Their actual Snowman-type head is hidden beneath it.
 * If a Snow Golem is lit on fire, it will speed up and run for a water source.
 * Their bottommost portion acts as a block that the player, other mobs, and even other Snow Golems can use to jump on and off.
 * Snow Golems do not attack aggressive wolves which attack the player.