ARK: Best Taming Food for Ankylo – Quick Guide for Gamers
Taming creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is a core mechanic, and if you’re aiming to build a strong mining team, the Ankylosaurus—or Ankylo—is a must-have. Known for its incredible ability to harvest metal, flint, and stone, the Ankylo is essential for mid-to-late-game resource farming. But to tame it effectively, you need the right food, strategy, and tools. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best taming food for Ankylo in ARK, how to use it, and why it matters for gameplay progression.
Why Taming Ankylo Matters in ARK
Taming an Ankylo isn’t just a status symbol—it’s practical. Ankylos are one of the most efficient gatherers of hard resources. If you’ve struggled to stockpile metal or flint, this dinosaur can dramatically change your efficiency. But poorly executed taming can lead to lost time, failed attempts, or even the death of the dino. That’s why knowing what to feed Ankylo makes all the difference.
Best Taming Food for Ankylo in ARK
The best taming food for Ankylo depends on the method you use—standard knockout taming or passive taming (which isn’t usually applicable to Ankylo). For Ankylos, knockout taming is the way to go. Once it’s unconscious, you’ll need to feed it to increase its taming bar.
Top Choice: Kibble (Regular Kibble)
The best taming food, without question, is Regular Kibble. This provides the highest taming efficiency and significantly reduces taming time. Using Regular Kibble not only speeds up the process but also results in higher post-tame stats.
Why Regular Kibble?
Because it’s designed to suit the dietary needs of mid-tier herbivores like Ankylo. It fills up their taming meter quickly, minimizes spoilage, and increases taming effectiveness.
Alternative Option: Vegetables
If kibble is out of reach, vegetables like rockarrot, citronal, longrass, and savoroot come next. They’re better than berries and are relatively easy to farm once you have a crop plot setup.
Vegetables are a strong alternative, especially on early servers or if you’re playing solo with limited resources.
Last Resort: Mejoberries
If you’re just starting out, mejoberries are the most accessible food. Ankylo prefers mejoberries over other berry types, though they’re still less effective than vegetables or kibble. Expect longer taming times and slightly lower effectiveness.
How to Tame Ankylo Effectively
Knowing the best taming food is one piece of the puzzle. The taming process also requires preparation, location awareness, and some gear.
Locate an Ankylo
Ankylos are typically found in mountainous or volcanic regions where metal is abundant. On The Island map, check the volcano area or the peaks around the Redwoods.
Knock It Out
Use a crossbow with tranquilizer arrows or a longneck rifle with tranq darts. Aim for the head, but be careful not to kill it. Wait between shots to allow torpor to build gradually.
Feed and Protect
Once unconscious, place the taming food in its inventory. Use narcotics or narcoberries to keep it sedated. Taming takes time, so keep an eye out for predators in the area. A spike wall or tame buddy like a Raptor can help protect your investment.
Saddle Up
After taming, craft an Ankylo Saddle (unlocked at level 36). This allows you to ride and direct it to harvest resources like a pro.
Taming Speed and Effectiveness – What Impacts It?
Several variables affect how quickly and successfully you tame an Ankylo.
Dino Level
Higher-level Ankylos take longer to tame and require more food. However, they provide better post-tame stats and resource yields.
Taming Multiplier
On official servers, taming can take longer than on custom settings. Adjusting the taming multiplier in single-player or private servers speeds up the process.
Starvation Taming
Some players wait for the dino’s hunger to drop significantly before feeding. This minimizes food spoilage and speeds up the final taming stage—but it comes with risk. If you lose track of torpor, the Ankylo might wake up.
Post-Tame Uses for Ankylo
Once tamed, Ankylo becomes a powerhouse. It’s best used to collect:
- Metal: Use it near mountain nodes or metal rocks.
- Flint: One of the best dinos for flint farming.
- Obsidian: Effective in volcanic regions.
- Stone: Although Doedicurus is better, Ankylo can still do the job.
You can pair Ankylo with a Argentavis to carry it from one metal-rich area to another. This combo is often seen in advanced ARK strategies. Ark Ankylo Taming Food
Pro Tips for Efficient Taming
- Build a trap: Use stone pillars or dino gates to lock in the Ankylo before tranqing it.
- Bring narcotics: Even a low-level Ankylo needs help staying unconscious.
- Use a flyer: Getting to mountain areas safely often requires a Pteranodon or Argentavis.
- Avoid swamp zones: They may spawn Ankylos but are dangerous due to snakes and leeches.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Feeding the wrong kibble: Only Regular Kibble works best. Don’t waste time with others.
- Neglecting torpor: Always keep an eye on its torpor level. Use narcotics before it wakes.
- Taming in unsafe zones: Always clear the area or build defenses before starting.
FAQ – Real User Questions from Google
What is the best kibble for Ankylo in ARK?
The best kibble is Regular Kibble, which results in the fastest and most effective taming for Ankylos.
Can I tame Ankylo with berries only?
Yes, you can tame an Ankylo with mejoberries, but it will take longer and reduce taming effectiveness.
Where can I find Ankylos in ARK?
Ankylos typically spawn in mountainous, volcanic, and rocky highland regions. Check the Volcano or the Redwoods area on The Island map.
How many narcotics do I need to tame an Ankylo?
It depends on the dino’s level, but for a level 30 Ankylo, you’ll need around 30–40 narcotics to keep it asleep.
Is it worth taming a low-level Ankylo?
Yes, especially early in the game. Even low-level Ankylos significantly boost your metal and flint harvesting capabilities.
