Minecraft Snapshot 26.1 released with Golden Dandelion and new aquatic baby mobs: Full changelog

Minecraft has rolled out Snapshot 26.1, offering players an early look at features planned for its next major game update. The snapshot introduces new baby aquatic mobs, a craftable Golden Dandelion item, and multiple visual, audio, and technical changes aimed at expanding gameplay control and immersion.

The update is now available for testing and focuses on enhancing mob behaviour, visuals, and customization options across the sandbox experience.

New baby aquatic mobs added

One of the headline additions in Snapshot 26.1 is the arrival of baby versions of aquatic mobs. Players can now encounter baby variants of:

• Axolotl

• Dolphin

• Turtle

• Squid

• Glow Squid

These baby mobs feature new models and updated textures, making them visually distinct from their adult forms. Mojang has also adjusted the bounding boxes of baby squid, glow squid, and axolotl to better align with their redesigned models.

Golden Dandelion lets players control mob aging

The snapshot introduces a brand-new craftable item called the Golden Dandelion, giving players direct control over how baby mobs grow.

The Golden Dandelion can be crafted using:

• 1 Dandelion

• Gold Nuggets

When used on a baby mob, the item halts the mob’s aging process, keeping it permanently young. Using the Golden Dandelion again on the same mob allows normal growth to resume.

However, the item cannot be used on hostile baby mobs or villagers, maintaining balance in gameplay mechanics.

Audio and visual improvements

Alongside new mobs and items, Snapshot 26.1 includes several polish updates:

• New baby chicken sounds have been added for greater audio variety

• Visual upgrades applied to several baby mobs

• Improved hitbox accuracy through adjusted bounding boxes

These refinements aim to make baby mobs feel more lively and distinct within the game world.

UI and technical changes

Minecraft Snapshot 26.1 also brings under-the-hood improvements, particularly for creators and technical players.

UI updates

• The gamerule search bar now recognises descriptions and categories, not just names and IDs

Technical updates

• Data Pack version updated to 98

• Resource Pack version updated to 79

• Tags resolved from minecraft:nbt text components with interpret: false are now pretty-printed, improving readability for developers

What this means for players

Snapshot 26.1 continues Minecraft’s trend of adding player-driven control and customization, especially around mob behaviour. The Golden Dandelion introduces a new layer of creative freedom, while baby aquatic mobs expand the game’s ecosystem in visually meaningful ways.

As with all snapshots, features are subject to change before final release, but Snapshot 26.1 offers a clear preview of where Minecraft’s next update is heading.