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

Farming keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is an essential task for crafting items like saddles, armor, and other advanced equipment. Keratin is primarily obtained from 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. Below is a detailed guide on how to efficiently farm keratin, including mechanics, strategies, and tips.

Keratin is harvested from creatures such as Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Carbonemys, Stegosaurus, and Sabertooths. These creatures are commonly found in various biomes, making keratin relatively easy to farm once you know where to look. The most efficient way to gather keratin is by using a tamed creature with high melee damage, such as a Sabertooth, Direwolf, or Therizinosaurus. These creatures have attacks that can quickly break down the bodies of keratin-rich creatures, yielding large amounts of the resource.

On The Island map, one of the best spots for farming keratin is the area around the Redwood Forest and the surrounding plains. This region is populated with Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and Sabertooths, all of which drop keratin when harvested. Another excellent location is the beaches near the southern and western coasts, where Carbonemys and Ankylosaurus are common. These creatures are slower and easier to kill, making them ideal targets for solo players or those with weaker tames.

For Scorched Earth, the best keratin farming spots are around the desert and rocky areas, where you can find Sabertooths and Ankylosaurus. On Aberration, the best locations are the fertile biome and the surface entrances, where you can find Karkinos and other keratin-rich creatures. On Extinction, the desert biome is a great spot for farming keratin, as it is home to many of the same creatures found on other maps.

When farming keratin, it is important to prepare properly. Bring a strong tamed creature with high melee damage, as this will make the process faster and more efficient. A Therizinosaurus is particularly effective because it can harvest both keratin and chitin, making it versatile for resource gathering. Additionally, bring a few storage containers or a weight-reducing mount like a Argentavis to carry the keratin back to your base.

One common mistake players make is not using the right tools or creatures for harvesting. Using a pickaxe or hatchet on a creature that drops keratin will yield less than using a tamed creature with high melee damage. Another mistake is not bringing enough storage or weight-reducing mounts, which can slow down the farming process. Always plan ahead and bring the necessary tools and creatures to maximize efficiency.

Advanced techniques for farming keratin include using a chainsaw, which can yield large amounts of keratin from certain creatures. However, chainsaws require gasoline and are not as efficient as using a high-level tamed creature. Another advanced technique is to breed and imprint high-level Sabertooths or Direwolves, which can be used to quickly farm keratin in large quantities. Imprinted creatures have higher stats and can make the farming process much faster.

For solo players, it is important to focus on smaller, easier-to-kill creatures like Carbonemys and Ankylosaurus. These creatures are slower and less dangerous, making them ideal for solo farming. For tribes, coordinating with multiple players and tames can make the process much faster. For example, one player can focus on killing creatures while another harvests the bodies, allowing for more efficient resource gathering.

In conclusion, farming keratin in ARK: Survival Evolved is a straightforward process once you know where to look and how to prepare. Focus on areas with high concentrations of keratin-rich creatures, use the right tools and tames, and plan ahead to maximize efficiency. Whether you are playing solo or in a tribe, following these strategies will help you gather the keratin you need for crafting and progression.