How to Get Thanksgiving & Aurora Mutation in Build a Zoo Guide

Seasonal and weather mutations are some of the most sought-after features in Build a Zoo newest update because they give pets unique visuals and sometimes unlock special bonuses. With the latest update, two special mutations are currently available: the limited Thanksgiving Mutation and the new Aurora Mutation. Both work differently and require specific conditions, so understanding how they trigger will help you avoid wasting eggs or resources. This guide covers how each mutation works and the most effective way to get them.

How to Get the Thanksgiving Mutation

The Thanksgiving Mutation is only available during the Thanksgiving event period, making it a limited-time feature. Here’s how to trigger it:

1. Event Weather During the Thanksgiving event, the game enters a special festival weather mode. While this weather is active, eggs traveling on your conveyor have a chance to gain the Thanksgiving Mutation automatically.
2. Use Cranberry Pet Food Cranberry is a new event-exclusive pet food added in Update 39. Feeding it to pets gives an extra chance to trigger the mutation. It doesn’t guarantee the mutation, but it increases the odds, making it ideal if you’re targeting rare collectibles.
3. Tips Conveyor Strategy To improve your chances, keep as many eggs running on the conveyor while the festival weather is active. The more eggs processed, the higher the chance of mutation. If you have auto-systems, keep them running.

Once the event ends, this mutation will no longer be obtainable, so farm early if you’re collecting limited pets.

How to Get the Aurora Mutation

The Aurora Mutation is connected to the new Aurora weather system in the update. Unlike the Thanksgiving Mutation, this one is not event-limited and will continue to be available when Aurora weather appears. Here’s how to trigger it:

1. Wait for Aurora Weather Aurora weather happens randomly. When it appears, any pet in your zoo has a chance to receive the mutation automatically.
2. Mutation Priority System The Aurora Mutation always prioritizes pets without a weather mutation. If every pet already has one, Aurora will override the existing mutation instead. If you’re looking to apply Aurora only to specific pets, keep others without mutations stored or removed from active slots.
3. Passive Method Since Aurora weather is random, patience is part of the process. Keep your zoo active during weather cycles and check regularly for mutation changes.

Both Thanksgiving and Aurora mutations add unique appearance changes and collection value to your pets. The Thanksgiving Mutation is limited and requires event activity, making it time-sensitive. The Aurora Mutation, while permanent, depends on random weather, so planning and patience matter. Whether you’re aiming to complete your album or build a rare pet display, getting these mutations early helps secure long-term value in your Build a zoo.