Taking to the skies in ARK: Survival Evolved or ARK: Survival Ascended transforms how survivors explore the island and gather crucial resources. The Pteranodon serves as the ideal first flying mount for early-game players looking to bypass dangerous ground predators. Understanding when you can craft its saddle and how to tame one efficiently is essential for smooth progression.
Unlocking the Pteranodon Saddle Level Requirement
In ARK, survivors can officially unlock the Pteranodon Saddle engram once they reach player level 38. Unlocking this recipe costs 15 engram points, making it an accessible mid-early game milestone. To craft the saddle, you will need 230 hide, 125 fiber, and 75 chitin or keratin.
Gathering the required chitin or keratin is often the most challenging part of crafting your first saddle. Players can collect these materials by harvesting insects like Trilobites, Meganura, or Titanomyrma using a hatchet. Preparing these materials ahead of time ensures you can fly immediately upon reaching level 38.
How to Locate and Trap a Pteranodon
Pteranodons are commonly found resting along coastal beaches and open grasslands across most maps. Because they frequently land to recover stamina, players can easily track them down from the shorelines. It is best to scout for a high-level creature using a spyglass before initiating the tame.
To safely capture a Pteranodon, wait for it to land on the ground and throw a Bola to immobilize it. Once trapped, use a Wooden Club for low-level targets or Tranquilizer Arrows with a bow for higher levels. Aiming for the head delivers maximum torpor damage and quickly knocks the creature unconscious.
Best Taming Foods and Narcotics Management
Once the Pteranodon is knocked out, place suitable food into its inventory to begin the taming process. Regular Kibble provides the fastest taming speed and highest effectiveness, followed closely by Raw Mutton and Raw Prime Meat. Early-game players can also rely on standard Raw Meat if higher tier foods are unavailable.
Because the Pteranodon loses torpor quickly, you must keep extra Narcotics or Narcoberries on hand. Force-feed these items as needed to maintain its unconscious state until taming completes. Surrounding the fallen creature with Wooden Spike Walls protects it from aggressive local wildlife during the process.
Essential Tips for Flying and Stat Progression
After equipping the saddle, managing your Pteranodon's stats will determine its effectiveness in combat and travel. Initial level points should be invested into Stamina and Weight to increase flight time and carrying capacity. This balance allows you to transport resources safely over long distances without constant landings.
Additionally, mastering special flight maneuvers like the barrel roll attack offers great utility for defense and harvesting. Breeding a breeding pair of Pteranodons provides valuable backup flyers in case your primary mount is lost during dangerous excursions. With proper care and stat allocation, this flying companion opens up vast new opportunities across the map.
