How do I manage food for baby carnivores in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Managing food for baby carnivores in ARK: Survival Evolved is a critical aspect of breeding and raising strong, healthy creatures. Baby carnivores require constant attention and a steady supply of food to survive their early stages of life. HereÔÇÖs a detailed guide on how to manage food for baby carnivores effectively.

When a baby carnivore is born or hatches, it starts with a low food stat and cannot eat from a trough. This means you must manually place food in its inventory or drop it nearby for the baby to eat. The most common food for baby carnivores is raw meat, but cooked meat, prime meat, or raw fish meat can also be used. Raw meat is the most efficient and widely available option. The baby will consume food rapidly during its early stages, so you need to monitor its inventory closely.

To begin, ensure you have a large stockpile of raw meat before the baby is born. This can be obtained by hunting dinosaurs or using a tamed carnivore to gather meat efficiently. Once the baby is born, place the raw meat directly into its inventory. The baby will eat the meat automatically as its food stat depletes. Keep in mind that the babyÔÇÖs food consumption rate is very high during the first few hours, so you may need to refill its inventory frequently.

One important tip is to use preserving bins or refrigerators to store extra meat. Raw meat spoils quickly, so having a way to preserve it will ensure you always have a supply ready. If you are playing solo, this can be challenging, but with proper preparation, it is manageable. In a tribe, you can assign roles to different members to gather and store meat, making the process more efficient.

As the baby grows, its food consumption rate will decrease, and it will eventually be able to eat from a trough. This is a significant milestone because it reduces the need for constant manual feeding. To prepare for this, build a feeding trough near the baby and fill it with raw meat. Once the baby reaches the juvenile stage, it will start eating from the trough, allowing you to focus on other tasks.

A common mistake is underestimating the amount of food required. Baby carnivores can consume hundreds of units of meat in a short period, so always gather more than you think youÔÇÖll need. Another mistake is not monitoring the babyÔÇÖs food stat closely, which can lead to starvation and death. Use the HUD to keep an eye on the babyÔÇÖs food level and refill its inventory as needed.

Advanced techniques include using a tamed carnivore to gather meat while you focus on feeding the baby. For example, a high-level Rex or Carno can quickly kill dinosaurs and gather large amounts of meat. You can also use a preserving bin with sparkpowder to extend the spoilage timer of raw meat, giving you more time to manage the babyÔÇÖs needs.

Resource requirements for raising a baby carnivore include a steady supply of raw meat, preserving bins or refrigerators, and a feeding trough. If you are playing solo, prioritize building these structures before starting the breeding process. In a tribe, coordinate with other members to ensure everyone contributes to gathering and storing resources.

Specific examples include raising a baby Rex or Spino. These creatures are powerful but require a lot of food during their early stages. For a baby Rex, you may need to gather several stacks of raw meat and store them in a refrigerator. For a baby Spino, consider using a tamed carnivore to hunt fish for raw fish meat, which provides more food points than regular raw meat.

In conclusion, managing food for baby carnivores in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning, resource management, and constant attention. By following these strategies and avoiding common mistakes, you can successfully raise strong and healthy carnivores to aid you in your survival journey.