Minecraft 2026 Snapshot: Test the New Baby Mobs and Craftable Tags Now

Author Avatar
By Gaming News
8 January 2026 no comments
Minecraft 2026 update features adorable new baby farm mobs with unique models 

Mojang is kicking off 2026 with a massive dose of cuteness on Minecraft. The developers just revealed the first game drop of the year, focusing entirely on an overhaul of baby farm mobs. Players can jump into the Java snapshot and Bedrock beta right now to test these new features.

Instead of just shrinking adult models, Mojang gave these creatures a complete visual redesign. If you thought the game was charming before, the new single-pixel eye designs and custom animations raise the bar significantly.

Also learn about “Mounts of Mayhem”, the major Minecraft Update of December 2025!

 

Minecraft’s “Cutest Drop Yet”: What Changed?

The core of this update targets eight specific mobs: wolf pups, kittens, piglets, calves, baby chickens, baby ocelots, lambs, and baby rabbits. Previously, baby mobs were simply smaller versions of adults with disproportionately large heads. That lazy design is gone.

Agnes Larsson, the game director, confirmed that these new versions feature unique textures and models. The most striking change is the move to “one-pixel eyes” for babies, distinct from the standard two-pixel eyes on adults. This subtle shift drastically changes their expression, making them look more like plush toys than blocky livestock.

 

Visuals and Audio in the 2026 Update

The update isn’t just skin deep. Each mob gets specific attention to detail. Wolf pups now come in nine variants and look “chunkier,” while kittens have eleven variants to match their adult counterparts.

Mojang also recorded real animal audio for this drop. Audio Designer Sandra Karlsson captured sounds from actual kittens, puppies, and piglets. This means when a piglet squeals or a puppy yaps in-game, you are hearing a high-fidelity recording of the real thing, not just a pitch-shifted adult sound effect.

Adult rabbits also received love. They now sport fluffy tails and new animations, including a “begging” stance where they stand on hind legs and tilt their heads.

 

Craftable Name Tags in Minecraft

For survival players, this might be the headline feature. Managing a farm of unique pets usually requires finding Name Tags in dungeon chests or fishing. Mojang finally fixed this bottleneck.

You can now craft Name Tags directly. The recipe is simple:

  • Paper
  • Any Metal Nugget (Iron, Gold, etc.)

This change allows players to tag and preserve their favorite mobs early in the game without relying on RNG loot tables. It fundamentally changes how you can organize your base in the early stages of a survival world.

 

In Conclusion: The Perfect Excuse to Jump Back into Minecraft?

If you enjoy the cozy, aesthetic side of building and farming, this snapshot is mandatory. The visual updates breathe new life into the passive mobs that populate your base, and the craftable Name Tags solve a decade-old frustration.

While Mojang hasn’t set a final release date, last year’s pattern suggests a full launch around March. For now, the snapshot is stable enough for testing, though expect minor bugs as they polish the animations.

Which mob redesign are you hunting for first: the chunky Wolf Pup or the new fluffy Lamb?

Read this post in :

Share:
Author Avatar

A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

Download the Allkeyshop Browser Extension Free

For all the latest video game news, trailers, and best deals, make sure to bookmark us. You can find all the best and cheapest online deals on CD keys, game codes, gift cards, and antivirus software from the verified CD key sellers on our store pages.
To not miss any news on Allkeyshop, subscribe on Google News .

MORE RELEVANT ARTICLES