Introduction
In the vast and untamed world of Ark: Survival Evolved, survival hinges on mastering the intricacies of its ecosystem. Among the many creatures you’ll encounter, the Sheep, scientifically known as *Ovis Aries*, holds a unique place. These seemingly docile creatures aren’t just adorable woolly decorations for your base; they’re vital for crafting, a source of valuable mutton, and sometimes even a comedic mount for those daring enough. While their combat prowess is certainly lacking, their importance in providing resources is undeniable.
Why, you may ask, is understanding sheep food so crucial? The answer lies in the core mechanics of Ark: taming, breeding, and resource optimization. The right food drastically reduces taming time, significantly boosting the Taming Effectiveness, which means a higher level sheep once its tamed. Proper nutrition is essential for successful breeding, ensuring healthy and thriving lambs. And while the impact of diet on wool production is still somewhat debated amongst survivors, many believe that a well-fed sheep produces superior wool, though this mostly hinges on the overall level of the sheep. Let’s explore what food to feed your sheep to keep them healthy.
This guide serves as your comprehensive resource for all things related to sheep food in Ark. We’ll delve into taming techniques, explore the best food choices, provide breeding tips, and share advanced strategies to maximize your sheep’s potential.
Taming Sheep: A Food-Focused Approach
Sheep taming in Ark is a delicate dance, a test of patience and strategic thinking. Unlike some of the more aggressive creatures that succumb to brute force and tranquilizers, sheep require a more subtle approach: passive taming.
*Ovis Aries* isn’t known for its bravery. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. Attempting to approach one without caution will likely result in a frantic dash for freedom, making the taming process significantly more difficult. Therefore, understanding how to successfully tame a sheep relies almost exclusively on selecting the right food and implementing the correct strategy. This can be difficult so don’t be discouraged.
The Best Taming Food for Sheep
When it comes to taming sheep in Ark, one food reigns supreme: Sweet Vegetable Cake. While other options exist, none offer the same level of effectiveness and efficiency.
Sweet Vegetable Cake isn’t a simple, readily available resource. It requires a multi-step crafting process, making it a mid-to-late-game taming option. The recipe calls for a blend of ingredients that may require some exploration and resource gathering:
- Sap: Can be harvested from redwood trees using taps.
- Honey: Obtained from wild beehives or domesticated bees.
- Rockarrot: Can be found in various areas and grown in crop plots.
- Longrass: Can be found in various areas and grown in crop plots.
- Savoroot: Can be found in various areas and grown in crop plots.
- Citronal: Can be found in various areas and grown in crop plots.
- Stimulant: Crafted using Stimberries and Gunpowder.
- Fiber: Harvested from plants.
- Water: A Waterskin, Water Jar, or Canteen.
The exact quantities of each ingredient are readily available on the Ark Wiki or other resource sites. Once you’ve gathered all the necessary components, simply combine them in a Cooking Pot or Industrial Cooker to create your Sweet Vegetable Cake.
Why is Sweet Vegetable Cake the undisputed champion of sheep taming? It drastically shortens the taming time compared to other options. A single cake provides a substantial boost to the taming progress bar. It also maximizes Taming Effectiveness. This is crucial for acquiring a sheep with high stats and potential for breeding.
While Sweet Vegetable Cake is the gold standard, desperate times may call for desperate measures. What about other food options?
- Berries: These are the absolute last resort. Using berries to tame a sheep is an exercise in frustration and wasted time. The taming progress is minimal, and the Taming Effectiveness will plummet, resulting in a low-level, largely useless sheep.
- Crops: Various crops can be used, but they are significantly less effective than Sweet Vegetable Cake. They may be slightly better than berries, but the time spent farming crops would be better invested in gathering ingredients for Sweet Vegetable Cake.
Taming Strategies and Tips
Now that you know what to feed your sheep, let’s discuss the best taming strategies:
- Approach with Caution: Sheep are easily spooked, so approach slowly and cautiously. Crouching and moving slowly can significantly reduce the chance of startling them.
- Build a Taming Pen: Constructing a simple enclosure with walls and a ramp can be incredibly helpful. Lure the sheep into the pen, then close the ramp behind it. This will prevent it from running away and keep it safe from predators.
- Predator Protection: Before attempting to tame a sheep, scout the area for potential threats. Clear out any aggressive creatures that might interfere with the taming process.
- Ghillie Suit: Wearing a Ghillie Suit can significantly reduce your visibility, allowing you to approach the sheep more easily without scaring it.
- Taming Effectiveness Monitoring: After each feeding, carefully observe the Taming Effectiveness percentage. If it drops significantly, it’s a sign that the sheep is taking damage or that the taming process is being negatively impacted.
Sheep Food and Breeding
Breeding sheep can provide a steady supply of wool and mutton, so understanding their nutritional needs during this critical time is essential.
Preparing for Breeding
Before you attempt to breed your sheep, ensure that both the male and female are healthy and well-fed. A nutritious diet will increase their chances of successfully conceiving and carrying the pregnancy to term.
Food for Gestation
During gestation, continuing to provide Sweet Vegetable Cake is highly recommended. While it might seem like a luxury, the benefits to the ewe’s health and the lamb’s development are worth the investment.
Supplementing the Sweet Vegetable Cake with high-quality vegetables can also be beneficial. Carrots, longrass, and other crops provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Fiber is also important for digestion and overall health. Ensure that your sheep have access to fiber-rich foods.
Food for Lambs
Lambs require careful attention to their dietary needs to ensure they grow strong and healthy.
Initially, providing small amounts of Sweet Vegetable Cake is recommended. This will help them gain weight quickly and provide essential nutrients.
As the lamb grows, gradually introduce vegetables into its diet. This will help them develop a balanced nutritional profile.
Imprinting is a crucial aspect of raising lambs. Using Sweet Vegetable Cake during the imprinting process can maximize the stat bonuses the lamb receives, making it a more valuable asset.
Considerations for Breeding Success
- Keep the breeding area safe and secure. Protect the sheep from predators and environmental hazards.
- Monitor the health and hunger of the breeding pair and lambs regularly.
- Address any potential health issues promptly.
Advanced Tips and Tricks Regarding Sheep Food
Once you’ve mastered the basics of sheep taming and breeding, you can start exploring advanced strategies to optimize your operations.
Optimizing Sweet Vegetable Cake Production
Setting up a dedicated farm for Sweet Vegetable Cake ingredients is essential for long-term sustainability. Focus on growing crops like Rockarrot, Longrass, Savoroot, and Citronal.
Using greenhouses can significantly accelerate crop growth. This will allow you to produce more cake ingredients in a shorter amount of time.
Efficiently gathering sap and honey can be a challenge. Consider building multiple tree platforms with taps to maximize sap production. Domesticated beehives can provide a reliable source of honey.
Food and Wool Production: Fact and Fiction
Does a better diet lead to higher quality or quantity of wool? This is a question that has plagued Ark survivors for years. While there is no definitive scientific evidence to support this claim, many players believe that a well-fed sheep produces superior wool.
The theory is that a diet rich in nutrients provides the sheep with the building blocks necessary to create high-quality wool fibers. Maintaining a consistent food supply ensures that the sheep has a steady stream of resources for wool production.
Ultimately, whether or not diet directly impacts wool quality remains a topic of debate. However, ensuring that your sheep are well-fed is always a good practice for overall health and well-being.
Troubleshooting Common Food-Related Issues
Sometimes, things don’t go according to plan. Here are some common food-related issues and how to address them:
- Sheep not eating: Check the sheep’s inventory to ensure that it has food. Sometimes, glitches can prevent sheep from eating. Try removing the food and placing it back in its inventory.
- Lambs dying of starvation: Ensure that lambs have easy access to food. Sometimes, they may be too small to reach the feeding trough. Place food directly on the ground near them.
- Dealing with food spoilage: Use preserving bins or refrigerators to extend the shelf life of Sweet Vegetable Cake and other perishable foods.
Alternative Uses for Sheep Mutton
Sheep mutton is a valuable resource that can be used for more than just sustenance.
Mutton is a highly effective taming food for carnivores. It provides a significant taming bonus and can be used to tame some of the most challenging creatures in Ark.
Mutton can also be used in a variety of cooking recipes. It adds a unique flavor and texture to dishes.
Conclusion
Mastering the intricacies of sheep food in Ark: Survival Evolved is essential for maximizing their potential. Sweet Vegetable Cake is the cornerstone of successful taming and breeding. By following the tips and strategies outlined in this guide, you can build a thriving sheep farm and reap the rewards of wool, mutton, and maybe even a comical ride. So go forth, survivor, tame those woolly wonders, and conquer the Ark!
