If you’re diving into the world of ARK: Survival Evolved and wondering how do I incubate an egg in Ark, you’re in the right place! Incubating eggs is a key part of breeding dinosaurs and other creatures, and it can be a bit tricky at first. But don’t worry-this guide will walk you through everything you need to know in a simple, easy-to-understand way.
What Is Egg Incubation in Ark?
Incubation is the process of hatching fertilized eggs into baby creatures. Once you have a fertilized egg, you need to keep it at the right temperature and conditions until it hatches. If the temperature is too low or too high, the egg’s health will drop, and it might not hatch at all.
Step 1: Get Fertilized Eggs
To start incubating, you need fertilized eggs. This means you must breed a male and female of the same species. When they mate, the female will lay fertilized eggs. You can collect these eggs and prepare them for incubation.
Step 2: Choose Your Incubation Method
There are several ways to incubate eggs in Ark, from simple to advanced:
– Campfires and Torches: These provide heat but require careful monitoring. The temperature can fluctuate, so you have to watch closely to avoid overheating or chilling the egg.
– Air Conditioners: These are mobile creatures like Kairuku or Dimetrodon that help regulate temperature around the egg. Placing eggs between a group of these tames can keep the incubation temperature stable.
– Egg Incubator: Introduced in Genesis Part 2, this is the easiest and most efficient method. You can place up to 10 eggs inside, and the incubator automatically maintains the perfect temperature. It can be powered by a generator, making it a great choice for large-scale breeding.
Step 3: Maintain the Right Temperature
Each egg species has an optimal incubation temperature, usually displayed in the egg’s tooltip. Keeping the egg within this temperature range is crucial. If the egg gets too hot or too cold, it will lose health and may die.
Using an egg incubator or a group of air conditioners makes this much easier, as they regulate the temperature automatically. If you’re using campfires or torches, place them carefully and adjust as needed by feeling the warmth or using a thermometer if available.
Step 4: Monitor Egg Health and Progress
Eggs have a health bar that decreases if conditions are poor. When using an incubator, you can check the egg’s health and progress through the incubator’s display without removing the egg.
You can also pause incubation by picking up the egg and storing it in a refrigerator or preserving bin. This stops the timer and keeps the egg safe for later hatching.
Step 5: Hatching and Raising Your Baby
Once the egg hatches, your baby dinosaur will need constant care. This includes frequent feeding-sometimes every minute! Different species have different dietary needs, so make sure you know what food your baby requires.
Imprinting is also important. This process helps your baby become more obedient and easier to train. Spend time with your baby to build a strong bond.
Protect your baby from predators by building walls, fences, or even setting traps and turrets around its area.
Tips for Successful Egg Incubation in Ark
– Use multiple incubators: Depending on egg size, 5 to 10 incubators may be needed to maintain the perfect temperature.
– Don’t eat your eggs! Always keep fertilized eggs safe and don’t accidentally consume them.
– Prepare food in advance: Hatching babies are hungry, so have their food ready to avoid starvation.
– Monitor temperature closely: Even with incubators, keep an eye on the temperature and egg health to prevent losses.
Incubating eggs in Ark can be a rewarding experience once you get the hang of it. Whether you’re using simple campfires or advanced egg incubators, the key is maintaining the right temperature and caring for your baby dinos after they hatch. Ready to start your breeding adventure? Happy hatching!