The Cryolophosaurus is ARK Survival Ascended’s newest frost-breathing theropod! This medium-sized carnivore delivers devastating torpor attacks and freezing abilities, making it dangerous yet incredibly valuable once tamed. Here’s your complete taming guide.
Table of Contents
Where to Find Cryolophosaurus in ARK
Cryolophosaurus spawns in snowy regions across the northern, western, and eastern parts of Lost Colony. Their small size makes them tricky to spot during arctic exploration.
Two Proven Taming Methods
| Method | Difficulty | Requirements | Success Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frost Breath Backfire | Hard | Good aim, ranged weapon | High (if executed correctly) |
| Riot Shield Reflect | Medium | Riot Shield, patience | Very High |
Method 1: Frost Breath Backfire
Aggro the Cryolophosaurus and wait for its Frost Breath attack. Shoot directly at its mouth during this animation—the breath backfires, freezing the creature. Once frozen, approach and feed it quickly.
Warning: The Frost Breath obscures vision, making it easy to miss and accidentally kill the dino.

Method 2: Riot Shield Reflect (Recommended)
Use a Riot Shield to reflect the Torpor Spit attack back at the Cryolophosaurus, knocking it out safely. If it uses Frost Breath, step back—shields cannot block this attack according to the official ARK Wiki.
Feeding and Completion
Feed the knocked-out Cryolophosaurus Exceptional Kibble (fastest) or Raw Meat. Unlike most creatures, it doesn’t lose taming effectiveness if damaged during the process. Explore our ARK Lost Colony creature guide for more taming strategies.
Why Tame a Cryolophosaurus?
Key Abilities:
- Torpor Spit: Knocks out creatures for easy taming
- Frost Breath: Massive damage with freezing effects
- Ice Armor Buff: Coats allies with protective ice for damage resistance
Perfect for PvP combat and support roles, rivaling top-tier tames.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tame Cryolophosaurus without a Riot Shield?
Yes, absolutely! While the Riot Shield method is safer, you can tame Cryolophosaurus by shooting its mouth during Frost Breath attacks. This backfire method requires better aim and timing but works perfectly if you’re confident in your shooting skills. Consider building a taming pen in a safe area first to prevent interruptions from other hostile creatures in the snowy biome.
What level do I need to be to tame a Cryolophosaurus?
You need to be at least level 80 to feed and tame a Cryolophosaurus in ARK Survival Ascended Lost Colony. Make sure you have appropriate gear, weapons, and plenty of Exceptional Kibble or Raw Meat before attempting the tame. Given the dangerous snowy environment where they spawn, bringing a mount or backup supplies is highly recommended for survival during the taming process.