Paraceratherium (commonly called parasaur) is a large, passive herbivore in ARK: Survival Evolved valued for early scouting and as a steady source of raw meat and keratin. Feeding a parasaur the right foods is essential for efficient taming, stable upkeep, and reliable resource output over time. This guide explains which foods are optimal, how taming effectiveness and starvation mechanics interact, and how to structure feeding for low‑risk long‑term care.
Preferred Foods and Taming Effectiveness
Parasaur taming responds differently to food types than many other herbivores, making food choice especially important. High‑quality food improves taming speed and reduces total food required to reach full domestication. Focus on effectiveness per stack and practical availability when choosing a staple.
Accepted Foods and Relative Effectiveness
All herbivore food can be used, but some deliver much better hunger reduction per portion. Use foods with higher Per Portion values to tame faster and consume less inventory space.
| Food | HP Tamed | Status | Source / Typical Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mejoberries | 12 | Common early‑game | Gathered from bushes; reliable in most biomes |
| Sweet Vegetable Cake | 24 | Highly efficient | Cooked using Mejoberries, Longrass, and Sap; preferred for faster taming |
| Vegetables (Longrass, Savoroot, etc.) | 8–16 | Variable | Found in gardens, caves, or thatch farms; use when cake is limited |
| Kibble (Parasaur) | Standard | Convenience/taming boost | Preferred for advanced feeding setups and imprinting |
Kibble and Advanced Feeding
Parasaur Kibble, made from Mejoberries, Cooked Meat, and other ingredients, is the optimal long‑term food once the kibble bench and necessary resources are accessible. It speeds taming, simplifies inventory management, and supports imprinting for higher stats. For players prioritizing imprinting, coordinate kibble feeding with regular melee checks to apply affection and maintain low torpor growth.
Basic Taming and Starvation Management
Parasaur taming times vary by food efficiency and your current resources. Early game, Mejoberries are dependable and widely obtainable; mid game, transition to Sweet Vegetable Cake; late game, rely on Parasaur Kibble for speed and control. Monitor the starvation meter closely—high‑quality food slows starvation, giving you more time between feeds and reducing the risk of accidental death.
Starvation and Food Decay Considerations
Food stored in troughs decays over time, so rotate stock and favor fresher ingredients for critical taming sessions. Use stack‑sized portions that match the taming window to avoid waste. Keep water available and manage ambient temperature, as heat can increase food consumption rates and accelerate starvation during intensive taming.
Feeding Strategies and Practical Tips
An effective parasaur feeding plan balances efficiency, safety, and convenience. Below is a concise routine you can adapt to your playstyle and available resources.
- Early game: Gather Mejoberries and feed in small portions to maintain low starvation while taming.
- Mid game: Cook Sweet Vegetable Cake in bulk; store in cool, shaded troughs to extend usability.
- Late game: Produce Parasaur Kibble consistently; use timed feeding schedules to control torpor and apply imprinting bonuses.
- Always keep spare food in your inventory and nearby storage to respond quickly to starvation changes.
Storage and Preservation Tips
Preserve vulnerable food in Refrigerators or Fabricated Structures to slow decay. Stack similar food types together and label storage containers by category (e.g., Mejoberries, Cake, Kibble). Regularly audit your reserves to cull expired items and prioritize using at‑risk stock first.
Resource Requirements for Kibble Production
Scaling parasaur kibble production requires planning for ingredient throughput and storage. Below is a practical snapshot of typical resource needs for standard and reinforced batches.
| Ingredient | Per Batch (10 Kibble) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Mejoberries | 40–60 | Primary carb source; gather from bushes or thatch farms |
| Cooked Meat | 8–12 | Common in mid‑game; use from basic or prime sources |
| Sap or Polymer Alternatives | 0–2 | Optional; can substitute Binder resources in some recipes |
| Production Time | 4–6 minutes | Varies by batch size and dino assistance |
Comparative Feeding Overview
Understanding how parasaur feeding compares to other early herbivores helps prioritize effort and resources.
| Animal | Preferred Food | Taming Efficiency | Starvation Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parasaur | Kibble / Sweet Cake | Fast with cake/kibble | Moderate; slower with kibble |
| Dilo | Raw Meat | Fast | Fast; requires steady meat supply |
| Bronto | Vegetables / Cake | Moderate | Moderate |
Common Pitfalls and Troubleshooting
Even straightforward feeding routines can encounter issues. Watch for these pitfalls and apply the suggested fixes.
- Insufficient food variety: Rotate between cake, vegetables, and kibble to maintain engagement and balance nutrition.
- Overstocking perishables: Use smaller, more frequent resupplies or extend preservation with cold storage.
- Neglecting torpor control: Combine feeding with regular melee interaction to manage torpor and avoid unexpected passivity.
- Ignoring preservation needs: Always refrigerate high‑value batches of cake and kibble when not in immediate use.
Conclusion and Routine Recommendations
Paraceratherium is a dependable early‑game asset when fed with intention. Prioritize Sweet Vegetable Cake for rapid taming, transition to Parasaur Kibble for efficiency and imprinting, and maintain disciplined storage and feeding routines to stabilize starvation. By aligning food choices with your progression stage and resource capacity, you ensure a consistent, low‑risk parasaur presence for scouting, hauling, and long‑term support.
- Use Mejoberries early for accessible, effective taming.
- Shift to Sweet Vegetable Cake mid game for speed.
- Produce and store Parasaur Kibble late game for control and imprinting.
- Preserve food, monitor starvation, and schedule regular feeds.