Breeding dinosaurs and other creatures in ARK: Survival Evolved is one of the most rewarding experiences in the game. Not only does it allow players to customize and strengthen their tamed creatures, but it also opens up new gameplay possibilities with powerful, imprinted companions. However, before you can raise your perfect dinosaur, you’ll need to learn how to hatch fertilized eggs. This process requires the right setup, temperature control, and careful attention to detail.
Getting Fertilized Eggs
Before you can hatch an egg, you’ll need to obtain a fertilized one. This happens by mating two creatures of the same species and opposite genders. You’ll need to have both creatures tamed and placed near each other, then enable mating in their behavior settings. Once they’re close enough and mating begins, the female will eventually drop a fertilized egg, which has a distinctive glowing effect that separates it from regular, unfertilized eggs.
These fertilized eggs are the starting point for the incubation process. Unlike eggs found in the wild or laid passively by tamed creatures, only fertilized eggs can hatch into baby dinosaurs or creatures.
Preparing for Incubation
Once you have a fertilized egg, the next step is preparing a place for it to incubate. In ARK, incubation depends heavily on environmental temperature. Each species has a unique required temperature range, and the egg must be kept within that range throughout the entire incubation process. If the egg is too hot or too cold, it will start to lose health and eventually be destroyed.
To begin incubation, simply drop the fertilized egg on the ground. However, doing this without controlling the temperature can be risky. The egg's status will immediately tell you whether it's incubating successfully or if it's in danger due to temperature issues.
Controlling Temperature for Successful Hatching
Early in the game, players typically use torches, campfires, or standing torches to regulate the temperature around the egg. These heat sources should be placed in a circle around the egg to provide even warmth. You’ll need to monitor the egg closely to make sure it doesn’t go outside its safe temperature range. If the egg status says "Too Cold" or "Too Hot," you’ll need to adjust the number of heat sources or their proximity to the egg.
As you progress and gain access to better technology, air conditioners become the preferred method for regulating temperature. Unlike torches and fires, air conditioners can both heat and cool, creating a controlled environment perfect for egg incubation. Most eggs will require four to six air conditioners placed around them for stable incubation. For particularly sensitive or high-level eggs, you may need even more.
For players who have reached the Genesis: Part 2 expansion, the Egg Incubator offers the most efficient method of hatching. This structure provides precise temperature control, displays incubation progress, and even allows you to preview the egg's stats and mutations before hatching. It’s an advanced tool that takes the guesswork out of breeding and incubation, making it ideal for dedicated breeders.
Watching Over the Incubation Process
The incubation time for eggs in ARK varies greatly depending on the species. Some eggs hatch in a matter of minutes, while others can take several hours. During this time, you’ll need to monitor the egg’s health and ensure that the temperature remains consistent.
If you need to step away or pause the process, you can pick up the egg and store it in a refrigerator or preserving bin. This stops the incubation progress without damaging the egg, allowing you to resume incubation later when you're ready. This flexibility is especially useful when managing multiple eggs or planning around your schedule.
Caring for Your Newborn Creatures
Once the egg hatches, the creature is born into the baby stage. This is one of the most delicate times in its life, as baby creatures cannot eat from feeding troughs. They require direct feeding from your inventory, which means you’ll need to place food, such as meat for carnivores or berries for herbivores, into their inventory manually. If you fail to keep them fed, they can die within minutes of being born.
As the baby matures, it eventually reaches the juvenile stage, at which point it can eat from feeding troughs. This transition marks a key turning point in their survival, as you no longer need to feed them manually. It also frees up your time, especially when raising multiple creatures at once.
During the growth process, imprinting becomes important. Periodically, the baby will request specific actions from you. These requests can include things like cuddling, going on a walk, or being fed a specific item. Successfully completing these interactions increases the creature’s stats and loyalty, which results in stronger, more effective companions. Imprinted creatures gain bonuses to damage dealt and damage resistance when ridden by the player who imprinted on them.
Building an Efficient Breeding and Hatching Setup
If you plan on doing a lot of breeding in ARK: Survival Evolved, it’s wise to build a dedicated area for it. A good breeding room should include plenty of space for your creatures, a controlled temperature zone for hatching eggs, and access to food and water. For early game players, this might be a small shelter with torches. For advanced players, this setup can include rows of air conditioners, refrigerators for egg storage, troughs for feeding, and even cryofridges for storing grown dinos.
Having a streamlined system reduces the chances of making mistakes, such as overheating an egg or forgetting to feed a newborn creature. It also makes it easier to scale your breeding operations, whether you’re building an army of high-level rexes or experimenting with mutations in smaller creatures.
Conclusion
Hatching eggs in ARK: Survival Evolved is a rewarding process that adds depth and variety to the gameplay. From obtaining a fertilized egg to carefully managing its incubation and raising the newborn creature, each step requires attention and planning. With the right setup and understanding of temperature control, players can master the art of breeding and unlock the full potential of their creatures.
As you become more experienced, tools like air conditioners and the Egg Incubator will simplify the process and allow you to take breeding to the next level. Whether you're looking to tame a powerful boss-fighting team or just want to raise adorable creatures with perfect stats, knowing how to hatch eggs is a vital skill in your ARK journey.
