The Hunger Games prequel introduced a few new Mutts, or genetically modified animals, created by the Capitol to use in Panem's annual gladiator-like event. Suzanne Collins' prequel novel, titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, is set decades before the events of the original trilogy following Katniss Everdeen and her influence of the Second Rebellion. While both stories are very different, they share some of the same elements, including a Hunger Games competition and the presence of Coriolanus Snow, the eventual president of Panem. Since the Capitol was the presiding force throughout both timelines, it makes sense why the scientific creations were imperative in threatening tributes.
Mutts, also referred to as Muttations, served as dangerous hybrid creatures featured in the Hunger Games franchise. Panem's governing city, the Capitol, used Mutts inside the Arena, as well as other areas within the nation as a way to manipulate or harm the citizens in the surrounding districts. Skilled scientists would experiment with the mutated creations in special labs before allowing their use in the public. Seeing as the Hunger Games event was a heavily watched competition throughout Panem, new Mutts were often introduced during the bloodbath to further threaten the survival of tributes.
Among the original Hunger Games book series and subsequent film series, a few memorable Mutt variants were incorporated into Katniss' journey. There were Tracker Jackers, which were modified wasps that held venom that could cause severe hallucinations or even death. In addition to encountering these vicious bugs in her first Games, Katniss also came face-to-face with Wolf Mutts, oversized wolf-like creatures with razor-sharp claws and teeth. Whereas Catching Fire featured Monkey Mutts and Mockingjay introduced Lizard Mutts, the series also honed in on the significance of Jabberjays, specialized male birds originally used to eavesdrop on enemies during the First Rebellion. When traditional mockingbirds mated with Jabberjays, a new form of Mutts was created through the birth of Mockingjays. The bird later became a symbol of Katniss and the new rebellion. Thanks to The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, even more of Panem's history was unearthed including the existence of older forms of Mutts.
The Mutts Featured In The Hunger Games Prequel
While young Coriolanus served as a mentor to the District 12 tribute ahead of the 10th Hunger Games in the prequel, he was in contact with Gamemaker Dr. Volumnia Gaul. Aside from serving as a scientist, Gaul also worked as the head of the Capitol's experimental weapons division. While visiting the lab, Coriolanus learned of Dr. Gaul's creation of Snake Mutts, which eventually appeared in the Games that featured Lucy Gray Baird. The snakes of various colors relied on their sense of smell before striking a victim with lethal venom. Coriolanus made sure the Snake Mutts were familiar with Lucy Gray's scent so they wouldn't attack her in the Arena.
Though not used officially in the Hunger Games event, Dr. Gaul also invented Rabbit Mutts. Coriolanus saw at least one of the rabbit-like creatures, which was part-pitbull. To showcase the Rabbit Mutt's jaw strength, Dr. Gaul would provoke it with a metal rod before the monstrous animal would snap the stick in half. The mutated rabbit often accompanied Dr. Gaul when she visited the mentors ahead of the 10th Hunger Games. Thankfully, Lucy Gray, nor any other character in The Hunger Games franchise had to face them directly.