How To Tame A Procoptodon In ARK: Survival Evolved

The Procoptodon is a passive-tame creature in ARK: Survival Evolved that requires a specific diet of Rare Mushrooms to initiate the taming process. To successfully tame this elusive marsupial, survivors must utilize ghillie armor and bug repellent to avoid detection while feeding the creature in its natural habitat across arid, desert, or mountain biomes.

Strategic Pre-Operation and Taming Gear Checklist

Taming a Procoptodon requires high mobility and stealth. Because the creature is skittish and possesses a significant jump distance, traditional trap-and-knockout methods are ineffective; this is a non-violent, passive taming project. Failure to prepare properly will result in the creature fleeing at high speeds, making it nearly impossible to track on foot.

• Essential Taming Food: Rare Mushrooms are the mandatory taming food. Procoptodons prioritize Rare Mushrooms over all other berries or vegetables. A level 150 Procoptodon requires approximately 40 to 60 Rare Mushrooms depending on server taming rates, though carrying 100 is recommended to account for taming efficiency degradation.
• Stealth Gear: A full set of Ghillie Armor is essential. The Ghillie suit reduces your detection radius significantly, allowing you to approach the Procoptodon without triggering its flight response.
• Utility Items: Bug Repellent is highly recommended. While it does not hide you from the Procoptodon directly, it prevents aggressive wild predators like Raptors or Rexes from interrupting the taming process.
• Mobility Tools: A high-speed mount, such as a Pteranodon or Argentavis, is necessary to track the Procoptodon if it becomes spooked.
• Environment Preparation: Ensure your inventory is cleared of unnecessary items to maximize weight capacity for movement. Set your Rare Mushrooms to the last slot (the zero key) on your hotbar.

Step-by-Step Taming Workflow

Step 1: Location and Identification

Search for Procoptodons in areas like the Desert or high-altitude mountain slopes. They are frequently found in the Scorched Earth map or the island's northern mountain regions. Once a Procoptodon is identified, assess its surroundings for potential predators. If predators are present, clear the immediate area first to prevent the Procoptodon from taking damage, which ruins taming effectiveness.

Step 2: Stealth Approach

Equip your full Ghillie suit and apply the Bug Repellent. Crouch-walk slowly toward the Procoptodon from behind. Do not sprint. If you get too close too quickly, the creature will perform its signature high-jump and flee. Stop your movement periodically to ensure the "Aggression" icon in the top right does not change to indicate it has detected you.

Step 3: Feeding and Patience

Once within reach, access the feeding prompt when the "Feed Rare Mushroom" prompt appears. After the first feeding, the Procoptodon will wander slightly. You must maintain your crouched position and wait for the creature's hunger to drop sufficiently for the next feeding.

Pro-Tip: If the Procoptodon starts hopping away after a feed, stay back and let it settle in a new position before attempting to approach again. Following it too aggressively will keep it in a constant state of flight.

Step 4: Maintaining Taming Efficiency

Taming efficiency is lost if the Procoptodon takes damage during the process. Keep an eye on its health bar; if it takes damage, the resulting level will be significantly lower. Use a shield or your body to physically block smaller predators from reaching the Procoptodon during the waiting intervals between feedings.

Taming Parameters and Resource Comparisons

The table below outlines the relationship between the Procoptodon’s behavior and the required resources for an effective tame.

Field Troubleshooting and Site Failures

• Failure Scenario: The Creature Won't Stop Running
  
  
  • Root Cause: You likely sprinted or approached within its direct line of sight too quickly, triggering the AI's flight behavior.
  • Actionable Fix: Stop movement immediately and wait 60 seconds for the creature to reset its AI state. Re-approach slowly while crouching.
• Failure Scenario: Predators Interrupted the Taming
  
  
  • Root Cause: The Taming site was not cleared of secondary hostiles, or local predators were attracted to your presence.
  • Actionable Fix: Use a high-level mount to aggro and move nearby predators at least 200 meters away from the Procoptodon before resuming the tame.
• Failure Scenario: The Procoptodon Fled Across the Map
  
  
  • Root Cause: The creature took damage from an environmental hazard or another wild dinosaur.
  • Actionable Fix: If it is still within sight, use a fast aerial mount to corral it back toward a safer area, but prioritize letting it settle down before feeding again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a trap to tame a Procoptodon?

Yes, you can build a small pen using doorways or gates to contain the Procoptodon. However, ensure the walls are high enough, as the Procoptodon has an incredible jump height; standard 1-high walls will not keep it contained.

Why is my taming efficiency dropping?

Taming efficiency drops if the creature takes any damage or if the time between feedings is too long. To maintain maximum levels, ensure no other dinosaurs are attacking it and minimize the time spent away from the creature during the taming process.

Is the Procoptodon worth taming for combat?

No, the Procoptodon is primarily a utility mount. Its high jump allows for traversal of difficult terrain, and its specialized pouch allows for the protection of baby creatures, providing a significant maturation speed buff and food preservation for the infant.

What is the best way to get Rare Mushrooms?

Rare Mushrooms can be harvested by using a Therizinosaur or a high-harvesting tool on crystalline-looking plants in swamp biomes or on the tops of mountains in the ARK. You can also find them in beaver dams, which is one of the most efficient ways to stock up for a tame.

Master the art of stealth and patience to secure your own Procoptodon for specialized transportation and baby-rearing duties. Download the latest creature stat updates and begin your hunt today to optimize your survival strategy.