How do I properly care for a baby dinosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved?
Caring for a baby dinosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved is a detailed and time-intensive process that requires careful planning and resource management. The process begins once the baby is born or hatched from an egg. Baby dinosaurs have unique needs, including food, protection, and imprinting, which must be met to ensure their survival and growth into strong adults.
The first step in caring for a baby dinosaur is ensuring you have the necessary resources. Babies require a constant supply of food, which varies depending on the species. For example, carnivores like the Rex or Raptor will need raw meat, while herbivores like the Triceratops or Parasaur will need berries or crops. It is essential to stockpile large quantities of food before the baby is born or hatched, as their food consumption is extremely high during the early stages of growth. A feeding trough can help automate the feeding process, but you must still monitor the babyÔÇÖs food levels closely, especially in the first few hours.
Once the baby is born or hatched, it will have a "baby" stage that lasts for a short period. During this stage, the baby cannot eat from a feeding trough and must be hand-fed. You will need to place food directly into its inventory. Carnivores can eat raw meat, while herbivores will consume berries or crops. It is crucial to keep the babyÔÇÖs food inventory full, as starvation can happen quickly. Babies also have a "food stat" that depletes rapidly, so you must check on them frequently.
As the baby grows, it will enter the "juvenile" stage, where it can start eating from a feeding trough. This stage is less demanding but still requires attention. You will need to ensure the trough is stocked with the appropriate food type and that the baby has access to it. During this stage, the babyÔÇÖs food consumption will decrease slightly, but it will still need regular monitoring.
Imprinting is another critical aspect of baby care. Imprinting occurs when you interact with the baby during specific intervals, which are indicated by a timer. When the timer runs out, the baby will request a specific action, such as being cuddled, walked, or fed a particular type of food. Successfully completing these actions will increase the babyÔÇÖs imprint percentage, which boosts its stats and makes it more loyal to you. Imprinting is especially important for combat dinos, as it can significantly enhance their effectiveness in battle.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the time commitment required for baby care. Babies need constant attention, especially during the early stages, and neglecting them for even a short period can result in starvation or death. Another mistake is failing to prepare enough food. Babies consume food at an alarming rate, and running out of food can be disastrous. It is also important to protect the baby from predators and environmental hazards. Building a secure nursery or enclosed area can help keep the baby safe.
Advanced techniques for baby care include using a Maewing, a creature introduced in the Genesis Part 2 expansion. The Maewing has a special ability to nurse babies, reducing the need for constant hand-feeding. This can be a game-changer for players managing multiple babies at once. Another optimization is using a S+ Nanny, a modded structure that automates feeding and imprinting. While this is not available in the base game, it is a popular option for players using mods.
Resource requirements for baby care include large quantities of food, a secure base or nursery, and access to water for irrigation if you are growing crops. You may also need preserving bins or refrigerators to store meat and prevent spoilage. For imprinting, you will need to gather specific resources, such as Kibble or rare flowers, depending on the babyÔÇÖs requests.
Tribe considerations are important, as baby care can be a team effort. In a tribe, multiple players can share the responsibility of feeding and imprinting, making the process more manageable. Solo players will need to plan carefully and may need to focus on one baby at a time to avoid being overwhelmed.
A specific example of baby care is raising a Rex. Rex eggs take approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes to hatch. Once hatched, the baby Rex will need to be hand-fed raw meat for the first few hours. During this time, you must monitor its food stat closely and ensure it does not starve. As it grows, you can transition to using a feeding trough. Imprinting requests for a Rex may include cuddling or feeding it Kibble. Successfully imprinting the Rex will increase its health, damage, and other stats, making it a powerful ally in boss fights.
In conclusion, caring for a baby dinosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, attention, and resource management. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and utilizing advanced techniques, you can raise strong and loyal creatures that will aid you in your survival journey. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, proper baby care is a rewarding aspect of the game that can significantly enhance your experience.
The first step in caring for a baby dinosaur is ensuring you have the necessary resources. Babies require a constant supply of food, which varies depending on the species. For example, carnivores like the Rex or Raptor will need raw meat, while herbivores like the Triceratops or Parasaur will need berries or crops. It is essential to stockpile large quantities of food before the baby is born or hatched, as their food consumption is extremely high during the early stages of growth. A feeding trough can help automate the feeding process, but you must still monitor the babyÔÇÖs food levels closely, especially in the first few hours.
Once the baby is born or hatched, it will have a "baby" stage that lasts for a short period. During this stage, the baby cannot eat from a feeding trough and must be hand-fed. You will need to place food directly into its inventory. Carnivores can eat raw meat, while herbivores will consume berries or crops. It is crucial to keep the babyÔÇÖs food inventory full, as starvation can happen quickly. Babies also have a "food stat" that depletes rapidly, so you must check on them frequently.
As the baby grows, it will enter the "juvenile" stage, where it can start eating from a feeding trough. This stage is less demanding but still requires attention. You will need to ensure the trough is stocked with the appropriate food type and that the baby has access to it. During this stage, the babyÔÇÖs food consumption will decrease slightly, but it will still need regular monitoring.
Imprinting is another critical aspect of baby care. Imprinting occurs when you interact with the baby during specific intervals, which are indicated by a timer. When the timer runs out, the baby will request a specific action, such as being cuddled, walked, or fed a particular type of food. Successfully completing these actions will increase the babyÔÇÖs imprint percentage, which boosts its stats and makes it more loyal to you. Imprinting is especially important for combat dinos, as it can significantly enhance their effectiveness in battle.
One common mistake players make is underestimating the time commitment required for baby care. Babies need constant attention, especially during the early stages, and neglecting them for even a short period can result in starvation or death. Another mistake is failing to prepare enough food. Babies consume food at an alarming rate, and running out of food can be disastrous. It is also important to protect the baby from predators and environmental hazards. Building a secure nursery or enclosed area can help keep the baby safe.
Advanced techniques for baby care include using a Maewing, a creature introduced in the Genesis Part 2 expansion. The Maewing has a special ability to nurse babies, reducing the need for constant hand-feeding. This can be a game-changer for players managing multiple babies at once. Another optimization is using a S+ Nanny, a modded structure that automates feeding and imprinting. While this is not available in the base game, it is a popular option for players using mods.
Resource requirements for baby care include large quantities of food, a secure base or nursery, and access to water for irrigation if you are growing crops. You may also need preserving bins or refrigerators to store meat and prevent spoilage. For imprinting, you will need to gather specific resources, such as Kibble or rare flowers, depending on the babyÔÇÖs requests.
Tribe considerations are important, as baby care can be a team effort. In a tribe, multiple players can share the responsibility of feeding and imprinting, making the process more manageable. Solo players will need to plan carefully and may need to focus on one baby at a time to avoid being overwhelmed.
A specific example of baby care is raising a Rex. Rex eggs take approximately 4 hours and 59 minutes to hatch. Once hatched, the baby Rex will need to be hand-fed raw meat for the first few hours. During this time, you must monitor its food stat closely and ensure it does not starve. As it grows, you can transition to using a feeding trough. Imprinting requests for a Rex may include cuddling or feeding it Kibble. Successfully imprinting the Rex will increase its health, damage, and other stats, making it a powerful ally in boss fights.
In conclusion, caring for a baby dinosaur in ARK: Survival Evolved requires preparation, attention, and resource management. By understanding the mechanics, avoiding common mistakes, and utilizing advanced techniques, you can raise strong and loyal creatures that will aid you in your survival journey. Whether playing solo or in a tribe, proper baby care is a rewarding aspect of the game that can significantly enhance your experience.