What Baby Shadowmanes Eat: A Complete Guide for ARK Survival
What Baby Shadowmanes Eat: The Short Answer
Baby Shadowmanes in ARK: Survival Evolved are surprisingly picky eaters, especially when compared to their adult counterparts. They do not consume standard meat or berries. Instead, they require a Filled Fish Basket containing a fish. The size of the fish in the basket must be at least 0.5x; this is important since fish sizes are rounded. The type of fish doesn’t matter, nor does the level of the fish. However, because the game can round fish sizes (e.g. a 1.5 fish could be 1.45 or 1.54) it’s wise to have some extra fish available. Once the baby is born, you need to manually feed it by placing the filled fish basket into its inventory.
Understanding the Feeding Process
Shadowmane babies, like all baby dinos in ARK, require hand-feeding until they reach about 10% growth. They have a very low food capacity and starve quickly if not closely monitored. This means you need to ensure there’s a ready supply of fish baskets. Once placed in the inventory, the baby will automatically consume the fish as needed.
How to Prepare Fish Baskets
You must catch fish and place them in a fish basket before offering it to the baby Shadowmane. The process is as follows:
- Obtain a Fish Basket: You can craft these at a smithy or in a supply crate.
- Catch a Fish: Use a fishing rod with bait or a fishing net to catch a fish of any type.
- Place the Fish in the Basket: Drag and drop the fish into the empty basket. You now have a filled fish basket.
- Repeat: Make sure you have plenty of filled baskets before the baby is born.
Fish Size Matters
Although the game rounds fish sizes, you should aim to catch fish that are at least 1.5x. The rounding can lead to a basket containing a smaller fish than needed, making the baby not eat and possibly die. This is why having extra fish is essential. Be patient, and don’t get disheartened if you see the food stat going down, as this means it’s not taking the basket.
Additional Tips for Raising Shadowmane Babies
Be aware that even if the baby shadowmane is eating, their food stat will still drop quickly. This means a constant supply of baskets is required. You may want to invest in a Maewing, as it can act as a living trough, allowing for consistent feeding. Ensure that before breeding you have enough time to dedicate to the care of a newborn shadowmane.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) About Baby Shadowmanes
1. Do Shadowmane Babies Eat Meat?
No, baby Shadowmanes do not eat raw meat or any other type of standard dino food. They are exclusively fed with filled fish baskets.
2. Can a Baby Shadowmane Eat Berries?
No, berries are not a food source for baby Shadowmanes. They require the specific diet of filled fish baskets.
3. Does the Level of the Fish Matter for Baby Shadowmanes?
The level of the fish does not matter. Only the size (at least 0.5x) is important. A low-level fish will satisfy a baby shadowmane just as well as a high-level one.
4. Does the Type of Fish Affect Baby Shadowmanes?
No, the type of fish does not matter. Whether it is a coelacanth, salmon, or piranha, all will work just as well in the fish basket.
5. How Often Do Baby Shadowmanes Need to Be Fed?
Baby Shadowmanes need to be fed frequently, especially in the first 10% of their growth. They have low food capacity and starve quickly. Constant monitoring and refilling of their inventory are essential.
6. Can a Maewing Help Feed Baby Shadowmanes?
Yes, Maewings can help. They can act as a living trough and feed babies from their inventory, providing a continuous food supply, however, you must ensure the Maewing has filled fish baskets within their inventory.
7. What Happens if a Baby Shadowmane Doesn’t Get Fed?
A baby Shadowmane will starve very quickly if its food runs out. Constant feeding is crucial for their survival.
8. Can You Use a Trough for Baby Shadowmanes?
No, a standard trough does not work for Shadowmane babies because they do not eat standard food. The only way to feed them is with a fish basket in their inventory.
9. How Long Do Shadowmanes Need to Be Hand-Fed?
Baby Shadowmanes require hand-feeding until they reach approximately 10% growth. After this point, they are able to eat from a trough.
10. Are Shadowmanes Born From Eggs?
No, Shadowmanes have a live birth, rather than hatching from eggs. This means you must prepare for a newborn, not an egg.
11. How Do I Get Shadowmanes to Breed?
Ensure the Shadowmanes are close enough to each other and that neither is spayed or neutered. Also, make sure to turn on mating by going to the wheel menu.
12. Can I Tame a Shadowmane With Salmon?
Yes, a coelacanth or salmon is counted as a tamed creature once it’s placed in a fish basket, which allows the Shadowmane to accept it during the taming process and when being used for baby food.
13. Can Shadowmanes Be Mutated?
Yes, Shadowmanes can be mutated through breeding. Keep breeding and checking their colours for any mutations.
14. Do Shadowmanes Need Oxygen?
No, Shadowmanes do not require oxygen as they are adapted for both land and water. This also means they cannot be drowned.
15. What Is the Best Fish for Taming a Shadowmane?
Piranhas are a good source of taming fish as they swim right into fish traps, however, be wary of their bite. For baby food, any fish will do.