how to hand feed in ark

2 min read 27-01-2025

Meta Description: Learn how to hand-feed your dinosaurs in ARK: Survival Evolved! This comprehensive guide covers taming, feeding methods, baby dino care, and troubleshooting tips for successful hand-feeding. Master the art of hand-feeding and build stronger bonds with your creatures!

Understanding Hand Feeding in ARK

Hand feeding in ARK: Survival Evolved offers a unique way to bond with your dinosaurs, especially baby ones. It's not just about providing food; it's about building trust and strengthening your relationship with your creatures. This guide will cover everything you need to know about hand-feeding, from preparing your dinos for the process to dealing with potential problems.

Why Hand Feed?

Hand-feeding provides several advantages:

Faster Taming: For certain dinos, hand-feeding can significantly speed up the taming process.
Increased Imprinting: Hand-feeding baby dinosaurs is crucial for maximizing imprinting bonuses, which provide stat boosts and increased effectiveness.
Stronger Bond: It fosters a closer connection between you and your dinosaur.
Easier Management: Hand-feeding can make managing your creatures easier, particularly in the early game.

What You Need

Before you start hand-feeding, make sure you have the following:

The Right Food: Different dinosaurs require different types of food. Knowing your dino's dietary needs is crucial. Consult the ARK wiki or in-game information for specifics.
Enough Food: Be prepared to feed your dino multiple times, especially if it's a baby.
Patience: Hand-feeding takes time and patience. Don't get discouraged if your dino doesn't cooperate immediately.

Preparing Your Dinosaur for Hand Feeding

The success of hand-feeding depends heavily on your dinosaur's state. Here's how to prepare them:

Taming: Ensure your dinosaur is fully tamed before attempting hand-feeding.
Baby Dinosaurs: Hand-feeding is especially important for baby dinosaurs. Start as soon as possible after hatching.
Approaching Your Dino: Slowly approach your dinosaur, avoiding sudden movements or loud noises. Let it become accustomed to your presence.

The Hand-Feeding Process

The actual feeding process is straightforward:

Equip the Food: Select the correct food item in your inventory.
Approach Carefully: Again, approach slowly and calmly. Aggressive movements might frighten your dino.
Initiate Feeding: Right-click on your dinosaur while holding the food. A prompt should appear, allowing you to initiate the hand-feeding interaction.
Repeat as Needed: Continue hand-feeding until your dinosaur is satisfied or you've reached the food limit for one session.

Hand-Feeding Baby Dinosaurs: Imprinting

Hand-feeding baby dinosaurs is essential for imprinting. This process boosts their stats and enhances their overall effectiveness.

Timing is Key: Imprinting windows are time-sensitive. You must hand-feed your baby within specific timeframes after hatching.
Imprinting Intervals: These intervals vary depending on the dinosaur's species and level.
Maximize Imprinting: Feeding within the imprinting window is crucial to maximize imprinting bonus.
Using the Imprinting Calculator: Utilize online imprinting calculators to determine the optimal feeding times.

Troubleshooting Common Hand-Feeding Problems

Dinosaur Refusal: If your dinosaur refuses to eat, it may be too scared or not hungry. Try again later.
Food Issues: Ensure you're using the correct food.
Aggression: If your dino becomes aggressive, try calming it down with soothing actions or tranquilizer darts.

Conclusion

Hand-feeding in ARK is a rewarding experience that strengthens the bond between player and dinosaur. By following this guide and understanding your dinosaur's needs, you can successfully hand-feed your creatures and reap the benefits of faster taming, increased imprinting, and a stronger connection with your prehistoric companions. Remember patience is key and consult resources like the official ARK wiki for species-specific dietary needs. Happy feeding!