What are the best spots for farming keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved?

Farming keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for crafting various items, such as saddles, armor, and other advanced equipment. Keratin is primarily obtained by harvesting the horns, shells, or claws of certain creatures. The best spots for farming keratin depend on the map you are playing on, but there are general strategies and locations that work well across most maps. Here is a detailed guide to help you efficiently farm keratin.

First, letÔÇÖs discuss the mechanics of keratin farming. Keratin is a resource that can be harvested from creatures like Triceratops, Carbonemys, Ankylosaurus, Stegosaurus, and other animals with hard shells or horns. Using a tool like a hatchet or a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth or Therizinosaurus, will yield the most keratin. The quality of the tool or the melee damage stat of the creature will directly affect how much keratin you can gather. For example, a metal hatchet or a high-level Therizinosaurus with points in melee damage will harvest significantly more keratin than a stone hatchet or a low-level creature.

One of the best spots for farming keratin on The Island map is the area around the Redwood Forest and the surrounding regions. This area is populated with creatures like Triceratops, Carbonemys, and Stegosaurus, which are excellent sources of keratin. Another great location is the beaches, where you can find large numbers of Carbonemys turtles. These turtles are slow and easy to kill, making them ideal for solo players or beginners. On Scorched Earth, the desert areas are filled with creatures like Morellatops and Sabertooths, which also drop keratin. On Aberration, you can find Roll Rats and Karkinos, which are good sources of keratin as well.

When farming keratin, itÔÇÖs important to prepare properly. Bring a high-quality tool or a strong tamed creature to maximize your harvest. If youÔÇÖre using a tamed creature, make sure it has high melee damage and is leveled appropriately. For solo players, a Sabertooth or Therizinosaurus is highly recommended due to their high damage output and mobility. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, consider bringing multiple tamed creatures to speed up the farming process. Additionally, always carry enough food, water, and medical supplies, as some areas can be dangerous due to hostile creatures.

A common mistake to avoid is farming in areas with high concentrations of predators. For example, while the Redwood Forest is a great spot for keratin, it is also home to dangerous creatures like Thylacoleos and Carnotaurus. Always be aware of your surroundings and have an escape plan if things go wrong. Another mistake is using low-quality tools or under-leveled creatures, which will result in inefficient farming. Always prioritize upgrading your tools or taming stronger creatures to improve your farming efficiency.

Advanced techniques for keratin farming include using a chainsaw, which is one of the most efficient tools for harvesting keratin. Chainsaws can be crafted using advanced materials and are highly effective for gathering large amounts of keratin quickly. Another advanced strategy is to use a tamed Argentavis or Quetzal to transport your tamed creatures to remote farming locations. This allows you to access areas that are rich in keratin but difficult to reach on foot. Additionally, using a tamed Ankylosaurus to harvest keratin from dead creatures can yield even more resources due to its high melee damage and harvesting efficiency.

Resource requirements and preparation are crucial for successful keratin farming. You will need a good weapon or tool, such as a metal hatchet or chainsaw, and a strong tamed creature if you plan to use one. Bring plenty of food, water, and medical supplies, especially if youÔÇÖre venturing into dangerous areas. If youÔÇÖre in a tribe, coordinate with your teammates to cover more ground and protect each other from threats. Solo players should focus on safer areas and avoid engaging with large groups of predators.

In conclusion, farming keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved requires careful planning and preparation. By targeting the right creatures in the best locations, using high-quality tools or strong tamed creatures, and avoiding common mistakes, you can efficiently gather large amounts of keratin. Whether youÔÇÖre playing solo or in a tribe, these strategies will help you progress and craft the items you need to survive and thrive in the game.