Dino Dossier - Quetzalcoatlus

Hi! Today we have the third and final entry in our Mobile Bases mini-series! Quetzalcoatlus is a flying reptile, one of the largest flyers on the island. These enormous beasts soar in the skies, casting huge shadows down on the land below.

In ARK Digest #8, a survivor asked if there were any plans for a base-sized air dino, and the devs replied that there was Quetzalcoatlus, among others... :)

And in ARK Digest #16, my question asking if Quetzalcoatlus would be getting Platform Saddles was chosen, and the answer is: IT WILL! :D

Quetzalcoatlus, with its large size and wingspan, is the ideal creature to carry heavy loads, which also makes it one of the few animals that can act as a mobile air base!

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Basic Information

Common Name: Quetzal

Species: Quetzalcoatlus conchapicem

Time: Late Cretaceous

Diet: Carnivore

Temperament: Skittish

Wild

From afar, it's hard to believe that Quetzalcoatlus is one of the largest avians on the island. It shares a similar silhouette with the Pteranodon, and nests near the absolute highest peaks. Upon closer inspection, though, Quetzalcoatlus is an enormous creature of tremendous power.

Domesticated

Tamed Quetzalcoatlus have a very specific role on the island. Too slow to be an efficient local transport, and too weak to be an effective warbird, the tribes I've encountered tend to employ it as a mass carrier. Quetzalcoatlus is primarily used by these masters of the skies to safely carry vast quantities of supplies, creatures, and human cargo from one base to another without tiring.

Others

I find it strange that such a large, imposing beast would be so skittish. Unlike other creatures of its size, it is more likely to flee than fight. I suppose the decision to flee from any trouble keeps the species alive on an island with so many dangerous predators. But then how does it eat enough to sustain its massive size?

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Behaviour

Quetzalcoatlus, like its smaller relative, Pteranodon, is a skittish creature. It more often than not flees when attacked.

However, like almost all the other animals on the island, Quetzalcoatlus will furiously pursue any thieves that steal its eggs.

Resources From Harvesting
Suvivors will be able to harvest a significant amount of Raw Meat and Hide from Quetzalcoatlus corpses, as well as a large quantity of Raw Prime Meat.

Taming Methods
Knocking a Quetzalcoatlus out would be one of the ways to tame it. Using Tranquilliser Arrows would be a good way to knock one unconscious, although it will take quite a number of arrows to do so.

Food
Being a carnivore, Quetzalcoatlus eats all kinds of meat, whether they are raw, cooked, or jerky, and of prime or normal quality.

When taming, Quetzalcoatlus prefers Raw Prime Meat and Kibbles.

Utility
Quetzalcoatlus is able to harvest Raw Meat, Raw Prime Meat and Hide, as well as Keratin and Chitin, from bodies.

However, it is unable to obtain any resources from bushes, trees or rocks.

While its slow speed and moderate damage prevents it from being an effective warbird, it can still provide air support in a battle. While only one player pilots the Quetzalcoatlus, many other humans can ride on the beast's back, and it can also grab and carry another creature, delivering all these units to a specific location at once, possibly even behind enemy lines.

In a less militaristic role, Quetzalcoatlus is also able to act as a mass transport, carrying heavy loads that most other flyers would not be able to support, such as supplies, creatures and humans.

Quetzalcoatlus can be converted into a mobile air base, using the Platform Saddle! While not being able to carry as much as Brontosaurus or Elasmosaurus, since it actually needs to fly, it does have the advantage of being able to get almost anywhere above land and water through the air, which provides different opportunities altogether!

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We have reached the end of our final post in our Mobile Bases mini-series!

In conclusion, having the Platform Saddles would open up new doors for players in the game, and I am definitely very excited for these mobile bases as well! The Platform Saddles will be arriving very soon!

Thanks guys! :)

-Skyhawk :D