The Procoptodon is one of the most versatile and unique prehistoric mammals available to survivors across the island in ARK: Survival Evolved. Navigating its unique diet and fast-paced retreat behavior requires specific preparation before attempting a tame. Understanding what this oversized pouch-bearing creature consumes ensures a smooth and efficient domestication process.
Procoptodon Favorite Food During Taming
When taming a wild Procoptodon, its absolute favorite food is the Rare Mushroom, which provides the highest taming speed and effectiveness. Unlike many other herbivores in the game, it refuses standard crops or regular kibble during the initial taming process. If Rare Mushrooms are unavailable, players can alternatively feed it Plant Species X Seeds, though they offer significantly lower efficiency.
Surrounding swamp areas and giant beaver dams are among the best locations to farm large amounts of Rare Mushrooms. Gathering a sufficient stock before engaging the creature prevents long taming delays and loss of effectiveness. Keeping narcotics on hand is equally important to manage its torpor levels while it consumes the food.
Knockout Strategies and Preparation
Trapping a Procoptodon can be challenging because it flees quickly when attacked and possesses impressive jumping capabilities. Standard bolas do not affect this giant kangaroo, meaning players must rely on chain bolas, net projectiles, or built traps. Consuming a Rare Flower near a constructed gate trap is an effective tactic to lure the creature directly inside.
Once the Procoptodon is contained, fire tranquilizer darts or arrows to safely render it unconscious. Be mindful of nearby predators in the wild, as they frequently target unconscious tames. Maintaining a clean perimeter ensures the taming progress remains uninterrupted from start to finish.
Feeding Habits After Domestication
Once successfully tamed, the Procoptodon changes its dietary preferences significantly compared to its wild state. Tamed individuals will readily eat standard berries such as Tintoberries, Amerberries, and Mejoberries. This shift makes maintaining an adult Procoptodon far simpler than feeding it during the initial taming phase.
Players can conveniently store stacks of berries inside a feeding trough to keep tamed creatures full. Rare Mushrooms can still be fed for quick health recovery, but standard forage is more than enough for daily upkeep. Knowing this distinction prevents wasting rare resources on routine maintenance.
Practical Utility and Benefits
Taming a female Procoptodon offers incredible utility, especially for breeders seeking rapid character growth. Carrying baby creatures inside its pouch doubles the imprinting bonus and reduces food consumption during early growth stages. Additionally, its immense leap ability makes traversing rocky terrain effortless for exploratory missions.
The pouch can also hold an extra passenger, allowing two players to travel together safely while utilizing weapons on the move. Its high carrying capacity and mobility make it a top-tier mount for gathering and transport. Investing the time to gather Rare Mushrooms for a high-level tame pays massive dividends in survival utility.
