In Ark: Survival Evolved, players are constantly collecting rare and useful resources, especially when preparing for boss fights or crafting high-tier items. One such item is the Sauropod Vertebra, a special trophy drop that comes from large herbivorous dinosaurs like the Brontosaurus and Diplodocus. This resource is necessary for summoning bosses such as the Megapithecus and Dragon at different obelisk terminals. However, acquiring it naturally can be time-consuming due to spawn rates and the strength of sauropod creatures. That’s where spawning Sauropod Vertebra manually through console commands becomes a valuable shortcut, particularly for single-player, creative, or custom server gameplay where progression may need to be adjusted or tested.
What Is a Sauropod Vertebra in Ark?
Item Description and Purpose
The Sauropod Vertebra is a trophy item dropped by large sauropod dinosaurs in Ark. Specifically, it can be obtained when players kill a Brontosaurus or Diplodocus. These items are not just for display they play a critical role in summoning bosses. For example, the Megapithecus requires a number of vertebrae depending on the difficulty level of the summoning.
Uses in the Game
Here are the primary uses for Sauropod Vertebra in Ark:
- Summoning bosses at obelisks or supply drops (Gamma, Beta, Alpha difficulties)
- Crafting special artifacts or tributes
- Serving as a collectible item for some achievement or display builds
Since these items are bound to large creatures that don’t spawn frequently, some players prefer using admin commands to spawn them directly when farming becomes too slow or inefficient.
How to Spawn Sauropod Vertebra Using Console Commands
Enabling the Admin Console
Before you can spawn any item in Ark, you’ll need access to the admin console. Here’s how you can activate it based on your platform:
- PC: Press
Tabto open the console. - Xbox: Press
LB + RB + X + Ysimultaneously while in the pause menu. - PlayStation: Press
L1 + R1 + Square + Trianglesimultaneously in the pause menu.
Once the console is open, you can begin typing commands to manipulate your game world.
The Spawn Command
To spawn the Sauropod Vertebra directly into your inventory or the world, use the following command:
giveitemnum 144 1 0 0
Here’s a breakdown of what each number means:
- 144 The item ID for Sauropod Vertebra.
- 1 The quantity of the item you want to spawn.
- 0 The item’s quality (not relevant for trophies like this).
- 0 Whether the item is crafted or not (0 = default).
If you want to spawn more than one vertebra, change the second number accordingly, like this:
giveitemnum 144 10 0 0
Alternate Command Using Blueprint Path
Alternatively, you can use the spawn command with the item’s blueprint path:
giveitem 'Blueprint'/Game/PrimalEarth/CoreBlueprints/Items/Artifacts/PrimalItemResourceSaurpodVertebra.PrimalItemResourceSaurpodVertebra'' 1 0 0
This method is more consistent across versions and platforms and ensures you get the correct item even if item IDs change in future updates or mods.
Spawning Brontosaurus or Diplodocus to Farm Vertebrae
Why Spawn the Creature Instead?
If you’re not comfortable spawning the item directly or you want to experience the full gameplay loop, you can spawn sauropod creatures instead and hunt them for natural drops. This maintains the immersive feel of Ark while still giving you faster access to rare items.
Spawn Commands for Sauropod Dinos
Here are the commands to summon the dinos that drop Sauropod Vertebra:
Brontosaurus
summon BrontoCharacterBPC
Diplodocus
summon DiplodocusCharacterBPC
These will spawn wild versions of the creatures at your location. Be prepared to fight immediately if you’re not in god mode. For tamed versions, add Tamed or use thespawnDinocommand with additional parameters.
Tips for Using Console Commands Efficiently
Use God Mode and Infinite Stats
If you’re farming or spawning vertebrae for testing or convenience, it helps to activate god mode and infinite stats so you don’t have to worry about survival:
god infinitestats
Disable Enemy AI (Optional)
To prevent spawned creatures from attacking you or each other immediately, use:
enemyinvisible true
Speed Up Farming with Kill Command
If you want to instantly kill a spawned sauropod for its drops, use the kill command:
kill
This will kill whatever your crosshair is pointed at perfect for quick farming without combat.
Using Sauropod Vertebra in Boss Tributes
Where to Use the Item
After spawning or collecting Sauropod Vertebra, take them to an obelisk or a supply crate capable of initiating boss fights. You’ll need other items as well, such as:
- Artifacts (e.g., Artifact of the Brute, Artifact of the Devourer)
- Other trophy drops (e.g., T-Rex Arms, Megalania Toxin)
Each boss and difficulty tier requires a specific combination. Make sure to check the exact requirements before initiating the encounter.
Transporting and Storing Vertebrae
Sauropod Vertebrae are relatively lightweight but valuable. Store them in vaults or creature inventories in your base to keep them safe. On official servers, avoid carrying too many at once, especially if PvP is active, as you could lose your items in a raid.
Whether you’re a new survivor or a seasoned admin running custom events, knowing how to spawn Sauropod Vertebra in Ark: Survival Evolved is a handy skill. The process is straightforward with the right commands and access to the console. This item plays a crucial role in progressing through endgame content, especially boss battles, and can also help test new mechanics or server balance. Whether you prefer to farm naturally or summon items directly, having control over Sauropod Vertebra spawns enhances your gameplay flexibility and preparation.