Minecraft's 26.1 update, part of the First Drop 2026, brought a massive overhaul to baby mobs with new models, textures, and sounds. But beyond the adorable baby revamps, there are several subtle features and changes that many players have overlooked. Here are five hidden gems you might have missed.
1. The /swing Command for Epic Animations
Map makers and roleplayers rejoice! The new /swing command lets you force any entity to swing its arms, specifying mainhand or offhand. It's perfect for creating dynamic scenes with mannequins or mobs. Syntax: /swing [mainhand|offhand]. This technical powerhouse flew under the radar for most survival players.
2. Trumpet Tunes from Note Blocks
Want to add some brass to your music machines? Place a copper block under a note block, and it plays a trumpet sound! The tone changes with the copper's oxidation level: fresh copper is smooth, while fully oxidized gives a gritty edge. Experiment with weathered, exposed, and oxidized copper for a full orchestra.
3. Secret Adult Mob Sound Variants
Some adult animals now have rare sound variants that spawn naturally. Cats can be "royal" with majestic meows, pigs come in "mini" or "big" flavors, cows get "moody" lows, and chickens are "picky." These are randomly assigned and add personality without any extra effort from players.
4. Rabbits' Charming New Idle Pose
Rabbits, both baby and adult, now have a delightful idle animation: they sit up straight with dangling arms, swivel their heads side to side, and curiously look around. It's a small but lively detail that makes the world feel more alive.
5. Baby Camel Husks Are Gone Forever
In a rare mob prune, the baby variant of camel husks has been completely removed. Any existing ones automatically convert to adults. This cleanup ensures consistency in undead mob behaviors and prevents quirky glitches.