Introduction
Tired of spending hours crafting fertilizer or meticulously harvesting oil nodes? Is the tedious grind of resource acquisition starting to feel overwhelming? If so, the humble Dung Beetle in ARK: Survival Evolved is about to become your new best friend. These unassuming creatures are masters of waste management, transforming unwanted byproducts into valuable resources that can significantly streamline your gameplay. This guide delves deep into the world of Dung Beetles, focusing on their unique dietary needs, the best sources for ARK Dung Beetle food, and how to maximize their potential for efficient resource production.
Dung Beetles are small, passive creatures found primarily in caves and other dark, damp environments across the various ARK maps. These nocturnal insects might seem insignificant at first glance, but their ability to convert feces into fertilizer and oil makes them invaluable assets for any serious survivor. Forget about constantly crafting fertilizer or risking your life for limited oil deposits – with a well-fed Dung Beetle or two, you’ll have a sustainable and reliable supply of these essential resources.
This comprehensive guide will explore everything you need to know about Dung Beetle food, from identifying the best types of feces to optimizing your resource collection strategies. We’ll cover taming, feeding, and utilizing these fascinating creatures to build a thriving base and conquer the challenges of ARK.
Understanding What Fuels Your Fertilizer Factory
Dung Beetles have a very specific palate, one might even call it disgusting. Their sole source of sustenance comes from feces. Yes, you read that right. These creatures thrive on the waste products of other creatures, transforming something seemingly useless into something incredibly valuable. However, not all feces are created equal.
The Dung Beetle diet consists of the following types of feces: human feces, small animal feces, medium animal feces, large animal feces, massive animal feces, and insect feces. Each type offers a different level of efficiency when it comes to fertilizer and oil conversion.
Different Types of Feces
Human Feces: While readily available (though perhaps embarrassing to obtain!), human feces are not the most efficient choice for ARK Dung Beetle food. They provide a relatively small amount of nourishment and produce a lower yield of fertilizer and oil compared to other options.
Small Animal Feces: Droppings from creatures like Dodos, Jerboas, and Compsognathus fall into this category. These are slightly better than human feces but still not ideal for maximizing your Dung Beetle’s productivity. They are readily available, making them a reasonable starting point if you are early in the game.
Medium Animal Feces: Creatures like Raptors, Direwolves, and Sabertooths produce medium animal feces. This option offers a noticeable improvement in efficiency compared to smaller varieties. Gathering medium feces can be more challenging as it may require taming carnivorous creatures.
Large Animal Feces: Brontosauruses, Stegosauruses, and other large herbivores generate large animal feces. These are an excellent source of ARK Dung Beetle food, providing a significant amount of nourishment and yielding a substantial amount of fertilizer and oil.
Massive Animal Feces: Creatures such as Titanosaurs and Karkinos produce massive quantities of feces. This is among the best options as ARK Dung Beetle food for high fertilizer and oil production. However, these quantities are hard to acquire consistently.
Insect Feces: This is the waste that Dung Beetles produce. Utilizing a few initial Dung Beetles, survivors can utilize their waste product to feed more Dung Beetles. This creates an ecosystem that will continue to reproduce fertilizer and oil.
The type of feces you choose to feed your Dung Beetles directly impacts their effectiveness in producing fertilizer and oil. Larger feces generally result in a higher yield of both resources.
Why Food is Key to Dung Beetle Success
Providing your Dung Beetles with an adequate supply of food is crucial for several reasons. First and foremost, it’s essential for the taming process. These creatures can only be tamed by passively feeding them feces. Without a steady supply of their preferred food, taming a Dung Beetle becomes impossible.
Secondly, food fuels their primary function: the conversion of feces into fertilizer and oil. A well-fed Dung Beetle will continuously process feces, generating a steady stream of valuable resources. If their food supply dwindles, their production will grind to a halt, rendering them useless.
Finally, like any living creature, Dung Beetles need food to survive. While they are relatively hardy and can withstand periods of starvation, depriving them of food for extended periods will eventually lead to their demise. Although starvation is rare, keeping your beetles fed ensures they can consistently work.
Acquiring the Goods: Where to Find Dung Beetle Fuel
Securing a reliable source of feces is paramount for maintaining a thriving Dung Beetle operation. Fortunately, there are several strategies you can employ to gather this unique resource.
Methods for Feces Collection
The Human Factor: While not the most efficient option, producing human feces is a readily available method. Consuming Stimberries or Stimulants will accelerate the process, allowing you to generate feces more frequently. However, this method can be tedious and time-consuming.
Herbivore Herds: Taming herbivores is a far more efficient way to acquire Dung Beetle food. Creatures like Phiomias and Lystrosauruses are excellent choices due to their rapid feces production. Breed these animals and maintain them in a pen. Remember that Phiomias tend to eat berries, which can reduce their feces output, so consider limiting their access to berry bushes. Lystrosauruses offer a buff that will increase egg laying frequency, which in turn will create more feces.
Dung Beetle Ecosystem: Taming Dung Beetles to create more Dung Beetles. As noted above, Insect Feces are utilized as a food source.
Optimizing Feces Collection
Consider designing your base to facilitate easy feces collection. Locate your herbivore pen near your Dung Beetle enclosure to minimize travel time. Utilize troughs to automatically feed your herbivores, reducing the need for constant monitoring.
A Gentle Touch: Taming Your Own Dung Beetle
Taming a Dung Beetle requires a delicate approach. These creatures are non-violent and must be tamed passively. Here’s a brief overview of the process:
The Taming Process
Preparation: Gather a sufficient amount of feces (large or massive animal feces are recommended for faster taming).
Stealth: Approach the Dung Beetle cautiously, crouching to minimize your visibility. Consider wearing a Ghillie Suit to further reduce your chances of detection.
Feeding: Access the Dung Beetle’s inventory and place the feces inside. Wait for it to consume the feces, and then repeat the process until the taming bar is full.
Patience: Taming a Dung Beetle can take time, so be patient and persistent.
Remember that the feces are not only their food source, but also what is used to tame them. Keep the food with you as you attempt to tame the Dung Beetle.
Unlocking the Power: Fertilizer and Oil Production
Once tamed, your Dung Beetles can begin their work of converting feces into fertilizer and oil. To maximize their productivity, keep the following in mind:
Maximizing Production
Enclosure: Keep your Dung Beetles enclosed to prevent them from wandering off. A small pen or room will suffice.
Constant Supply: Ensure they have a continuous supply of feces. Regularly replenish their inventory to keep them working.
Hands-Off: Once fed, the conversion will begin automatically. Just be sure to return and collect your fertilizer and oil!
The fertilizer produced by Dung Beetles is essential for cultivating crops in crop plots. The oil is a valuable resource used for crafting various items and fueling generators. By utilizing Dung Beetles, you can create a self-sustaining ecosystem that eliminates the need for tedious manual resource gathering.
Advanced Techniques for the Discerning Survivor
Here are some advanced tips to further optimize your Dung Beetle operation:
Tips and Tricks
Portable Fertilizer Factories: Dung Beetles can be used as portable fertilizer factories. Simply load them up with feces and transport them to remote locations where you need to cultivate crops.
Mod Compatibility: Explore mods that may enhance Dung Beetle functionality or introduce new types of feces.
In Conclusion: Embrace the Power of Poop
The Dung Beetle is a surprisingly powerful creature in ARK: Survival Evolved. By understanding their unique dietary needs and mastering the art of feces collection, you can unlock a sustainable and efficient source of fertilizer and oil. These resources are essential for thriving in the harsh ARK environment. Don’t underestimate the power of poop!
Take the knowledge you’ve gained from this guide and implement Dung Beetles into your base. Experiment with different feces types, optimize your collection strategies, and watch as your fertilizer and oil reserves soar. Share your experiences and tips with other survivors, and together, we can conquer the ARK with the help of these unassuming waste management specialists. The humble Dung Beetle is waiting to revolutionize your ARK experience. Now go forth, tame, feed, and prosper!
