How to Tame R-Quetzal in ARK
Complete walkthrough for taming R-Quetzal: gear, food, knockout strategy, and tips.
Quick Facts
- Diet
- Carnivore
- Temperament
- Skittish
- Tame Method
- Knockout
- Rideable
- Yes
R-Quetzal Taming Details
R-Quetzal is a knockout tame. Its most effective taming food is Kibble (preferred) or Raw Mutton.
Alternative foods: Cooked Lamb Chop, Raw Prime Meat, Cooked Prime Meat, Raw Meat.
Taming Steps
1. Prepare your gear
Bring Tranq Arrows or Tranq Darts, a Crossbow or Longneck Rifle, Narcotics or Narcoberries, and bug repellent.
2. Locate the creature
Find a wild R-Quetzal on supported maps. Check the spawn map and bring a fast mount or a flyer for transport.
3. Knock it out
R-Quetzal is a knockout tame. Use a Crossbow, Longneck Rifle with Tranq Darts, or Shocking Tranq Darts. Aim for the head for bonus torpor and keep distance to avoid aggro damage.
4. Feed the right food
Place Kibble (preferred) or Raw Mutton in its inventory (alternatives: Cooked Lamb Chop, Raw Prime Meat, Cooked Prime Meat, Raw Meat). Higher-tier food gives faster taming and higher level bonuses.
5. Maintain torpor
Watch the torpor bar. Feed Narcoberries or Narcotics to prevent it from waking up before the tame completes.
6. Claim & saddle
Once tamed, equip a saddle (unlocks via the engram tab) to ride your R-Quetzal.
R-Quetzal base stats
Level 1 wild values, with the gain each point adds in the wild and after taming.
| Stat | Base | Per wild level | Per tamed level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health | 1200 | +20.0% | +10.8% |
| Stamina | 800 | +5.0% | +5.0% |
| Oxygen | 150 | +10.0% | +10.0% |
| Food | 1200 | +10.0% | +10.0% |
| Weight | 800 | +2.0% | +5.0% |
| Melee damage | 1 | +4.0% | +10.0% |
| Movement speed | 1 | +0.0% | +1.0% |
| Torpidity | 1850 | +6.0% | +0.0% |
Breeding & movement
Where it spawns & other details
R-Quetzal spawns on Genesis: Part 2, Genesis Part 2.
Related tools & resources
R-Quetzal — Background & Lore
The R-Quetzal is the Genesis Part 2 variant of the 
Quetzal, ARK's largest common flyer. It works like the base Quetzal: a slow, heavy transport bird with a big carry weight that lifts large creatures. Its colors and markings set it apart.
Where to find it
In our data it spawns only on Genesis Part 2 in ASE.
Taming
A knockout tame. It is skittish and rarely lands, so most tribes tranquilize it from another flyer and then reach it on the ground once it falls. Feed it meat or kibble after the knockout.
Breeding
- Temperature: the eggs need a very cold range, 5 to 6 °C.
- Growth: a baby takes about 5.5 days to mature at 1x.
Uses
- Transport: carries creatures and large amounts of resources across the map.
- Platform saddle: serves as a flying base for building on its back.
Tips
Raise weight and stamina when you level it. It is slow and a large target, so do not take it into fights.