The Pteranodon is often the first flying creature survivors capture in ARK: Survival Evolved, granting unprecedented mobility across dangerous island terrains. Mastering the dietary preferences and capture techniques of this creature allows players to secure a reliable scout early in their adventure. Proper preparation ensures that your taming attempt remains efficient and free from unnecessary complications.
Best Foods for Taming a Pteranodon
Pteranodons are strictly carnivorous creatures, meaning herbivorous food choices such as berries will be completely ignored during taming. For maximum taming efficiency and speed, Regular Kibble serves as the absolute premier choice for survivors. Providing high-quality food options helps preserve bonus levels once the taming sequence completes.
If kibble is unavailable, Raw Mutton and Raw Prime Meat serve as powerful alternatives that drastically shorten waiting times. Standard Raw Meat or Raw Fish Meat can also be utilized, though these basic options lower taming effectiveness considerably. Players should always gather their selected food supply in advance to avoid running out mid-tame.
Knockout Strategies and Preparation
Before offering any food, players must safely immobilize and knock out the targeted Pteranodon on the ground. Deploying a bola while the creature rests prevents it from flying away into unsafe territory. This control method creates a clear opportunity to apply sedative attacks without losing track of your target.
Once trapped, tranquilizer arrows directed at the creature's head will rapidly increase its torpor levels. Because Pteranodons possess relatively low physical health, players must space out their shots carefully to avoid accidental casualties. Using high-grade weapons minimizes physical damage while maximizing torpor output.
Managing Food and Torpor During Taming
After the creature falls unconscious, place the designated meat or kibble directly into its inventory. Pteranodons only consume food naturally as their internal hunger depletes, so force-feeding meat should never be attempted. Force-feeding actual food items damages taming effectiveness and slows down progress significantly.
Monitoring torpor levels throughout the process is critical since Pteranodons wake up faster than many larger animals. Survivors must force-feed Narcotics or Narcoberries to maintain unconsciousness until the taming bar fills. Keeping a close eye on nearby predators ensures your vulnerable tame remains protected throughout the waiting period.
Post-Tame Care and Flight Equipment
Once successfully tamed, maintaining your Pteranodon requires keeping a steady supply of basic meat inside its inventory or a nearby trough. Regular feeding ensures your flyer maintains high stamina and recovers health after challenging flights. Proper inventory management prevents accidental starvation during long scouting trips across the map.
To take to the skies, players need to craft a specialized Pteranodon Saddle unlocked at survivor level 38. Gathering hide, fiber, and chitin or keratin in advance prepares you for immediate flight as soon as taming completes. Equipping this saddle unlocks fast aerial travel, opening up new exploration and resource opportunities.
